GUIDE 

TO 

THE CONSERVATORY; 

BEING A 

CONCISE TREATISE 

ON 

THE MANAGEMENT 

OF THE 

HOTHOUSE AND GREENHOUSE; 

THE FORCING OF BULBS, SHRUBS, ETC., 

AND 

THE BEST MODE OF KEEPING UP A SUCCESSION OF BLOOMS THROUGHOUT 
EVERY MONTH OF THE YEAR J 

EXEMPLIFIED IN 

A SELECT LIST OF THE MOST ADMIRABLE PLANTS 
OF THE PRESENT DAY, 

UNDER THE ARRANGEMENTS OF JUSSIEU AND LINN^US, 

INCLUDING THEIR NATIVE COUNTRY, PROPAGATION, AND THE 
SOIL ADAPTED TO EACH. 

BY RICHARD ^BAINBRIDGE, 

FLOWER GARDENER TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE LORD WEN LOCK. 

FROM NOTES OF THE AUTHOR^ DAILY PRACTICE, 

AND COMMUNICATIONS FURNISHED BY 

LIBERAL EMINENT FLORICULTURISTS. 



LONDON: 

ROBERT BALDWIN, 47, PATERNOSTER ROW. 
1842. 



PREFACE. 



An introduction to a book may be so far useful as 
it may serve to explain the writer's design, and en- 
able the reader to pass a fair judgment upon his 
performance ; for unless his particular view be 
well understood and considered, it is possible that 
he may be rashly censured for disappointing those 
hopes which he could not have fulfilled without de- 
parting from his plan. One or two observations, 
however, will, in the present instance, be sufficient 
to apprize the reader what he may expect from 
this publication. It is intended, then, merely as a 
Guide to the Greenhouse and Conservatory ; con- 
taining, in as concise a manner as possible, those 
necessary directions for keeping up a succession of 
bloom during every month of the year ; so that the 
Conservatory may never be wanting in a display of 
that beauty and loveliness which ever adorns the 
vernal season, and renders its name, Spring, so pe- 
culiarly and gracefully appropriate. 



Vi PREFACE. 

The Author's next object is, to place within the 
reach of every student of the science of Floricul- 
ture, an easy and practical treatise on a select list 
of the most choice and admired plants of the pre- 
sent day ; so as to enable him to pursue his studies 
with pleasure, ease, and perspicuity, that he may 
fulfil the several departments of his office, without 
encumbering his time with those experiments ne- 
cessary to the attainment of so valuable a know- 
ledge. If the humble efforts of the Author's pen 
have accomplished this end, he will feel himself richly 
compensated, in being enabled to contribute to the 
advancing of one step towards the acquisition of 
useful knowledge. At the same time, he begs to 
tender his heartfelt thanks to those useful cultiva- 
tors of Horticultural and Floricultural science who 
have so kindly aided him in his arduous task ; 
especially in furnishing him with the valuable in- 
formation given on the treatment of several par- 
ticular plants. 



CONTENTS. 



Page 

The Conservatory 1 

List of Plants suitable 3 

Soils ...... 5 

List of Pots, Numbers, &c . 7 

Propagation by Cuttings 8 

On Hybridizing 10 

Monthly Treatment. 

January 15 

February 30 

March 41 

April 48 

May 70 

June 95 

July 109 

August - 122 

September 141 

October 151 

November 160 

December 169 

History and General Treatment of Orchidacese ... 186 

Mr. T. Edgerley's List, and Treatment 189 

Mr. Saynor's Tree for the growth of Orchidess . . . 241 
Mr. P. Don's List of Orchidese which will succeed in a 

heat of 65° to 70° . . 242 



N. B. For the names of plants noticed in this work, see Index, 
at the end. 



GUIDE 

TO THE 

CONSERVATORY. 



THE CONSERVATORY. 

This structure is in most instances attached to the 
mansion, and is appropriated for the growth of 
plants in borders, as standards ; also for climbers 
for training upon trellises, and is supplied with 
plants in bloom from other houses. As the construc- 
tion of the Conservatory must vary according to the 
style of the mansion, I shall pass this over with 
remarks. In the first place, it ought to 
lace due south ; then, when the site is fixed upon, 
remove the soil and proceed to lay the drains to 
secure a dry bottom. The borders should then be 
covered one foot thick with old broken bricks, 
clinkers, or any other porous materials. The roof 
ought to command as much of the sun's rays as 
possible, and to be so constructed as to admit air. 

The Conservatory at Rise, the seat of R. Bethell, 
Esq., constructed by Mr. Croskill of Beverley, ad- 



2 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



mits air by means of a small dome with the greatest 
ease. When air cannot be admitted in the roof, the 
ventilators must be at the top of the back wall. If 
the ventilators be moved by rods and pinions, any 
quantity of air is admitted with the greatest ease 
by turning a wheel or small handle. The front 
sashes must be moveable, so that both at top and 
bottom air can be given in that part of the house. 

In planting the Conservatory, the first considera- 
tion is the effect to be produced : this is of chief 
importance, whether the plants be in masses, or 
blended together as a mixed group, so that light 
and shade be well mingled together ; and this will 
be effected by placing plants with light airy foliage 
with those of a dark and thick one near together, 
in order to produce an irregular outline. Those 
which are pendent growers should be put with 
those which take an upright or oblique direction ; 
if due regard be paid to this arrangement a most 
beautiful whole will be the effect produced. Hav- 
ing determined upon the situation of each indi- 
vidual plant, fill up the borders with soils proper 
for the several kinds of plants. Do not chop the 
soil very small, but allow it to remain as rough as 
convenient for planting ; let it remain a short time 
to settle before putting in the plants : in planting, 
be careful to set the matted roots at liberty and to 
spread them in a horizontal direction. When all is 
planted, give a good watering to refresh the plants 



SUITABLE PLANTS. 



3 



and settle the earth round the roots. Keep the 
foliage moist by syringing for a short time. No- 
thing more will be necessary if the planting be per- 
formed in the winter ; but if it should be done 
in summer, shade the house for about a fortnight, 
and keep it nearly close during the day, and quite 
so at night. 

A LIST OF PLANTS SUITABLE FOR A CONSERVATORY. 

This list is a selection only of the plants which 
might be given, but as it contains those which pos- 
sess great beauty, both in foliage and flower, and a 
variety of scented blooming plants, I consider it 
better adapted to my work than one of a more ge- 
neral and mixed description. 

[a. Beautiful foliage, b. Beautiful flowers, c Scented 
flowering plants.] 

Acacia 2 Johnsoni a. 

1 Kermasina a. 6. 3 Vittata a. 

2 Decipiens a. b. Azalea 

3 Daviesifolia a. b. 1 Indica a. b, 

4 Dealbata b. 2 Phoenicia a. b. 

Agave 3 alba a. 6. 

1 Americana a. b. Banksia 

2 Americana variegata 1 Speciosa 6. 

a. b. 2 Oblongiflora 6. 

Amaryllis Brugmansia 
1 Formosissima a. 1 Suaveolens c. 

b 2 



4 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



Bowera 
1 Rubifolia a. h» 
Citrus (several va- 
rieties) a. c. 
Camellia (several 
varieties) a. b, 
Cereus b. 
1 Speciosissima 

Callistemon a. b. 
1 Speciosa 

Corrsea 

1 Pulchella a. b. 

2 Dickinsonia a. b. 

Chorizema 

1 Ilicifolia a. b. 

2 Henchmarmii a. b. 

Dry an dr a 

1 Nivea b. 

2 Formosa b. 

Epacris 

1 Grandiflora a. b. 

2 Purpurescens a. b. 

Eutaxia a. b. 
1 Myrtifolia 

Epiphyllum 

1 Speciosa b. 

2 Jenkinsonia b. 

Edwardsia a. b. 
1 Grandiflora 



Euonymus a. 
1 Japonica variegata 
Ericas (several varieties) 

Goodia a. b. 
1 Latifolia 

Hakea a. 
1 Cerataphylla 

Hovea a. b. 
1 Celsii 

Illicium a. 6. 
1 Floridanum 

Melianthus 
1 Major a. b. 

Magnolia 
1 Pumilla b. c. 

Myrtus a. b. c. 
1 Communis 

Poly gal a 
1 Grandiflora a. b. 
Protea tomentosa a. 
Oxylobium 
1 Ellipticum b. 
Pimelea a. b. 

1 Decussata 

2 Linioides 
Leucospermum a. 

1 Spathulatum 

Platylobium 
1 O vat um a. b. 



CLIMBING PLANTS. 



5 



Pultenaea 
1 Biloba a. b. 

Phcenocoma 
1 Proliera a. &. 

Sparmannia 
1 Africana a. b. 



Strelitzia 
1 Regina a, b. 

Sephelocamphlus 
1 Bicolor a. 6. 

Leucodendron 
1 Argentea 



LIST OF CLIMBING PLANTS. 

It is advisable to plant the back trellises with 
oranges, myrtles, and camellias, as these will thrive 
in a moderate shade, whilst most of the quickly 
growing kinds draw up weak. 



Bignonia a. 6. 
Cherii 

Tecoma a. b. 
1 Grandiflora 

Kennedia 6. 

1 Monophylla b. 

2 Rubicunda b. 

3 Marryatti a. b. 

Maurandya 6. 

1 Barclayana 

2 Semperflorens 6. 

Rhodochiton 
1 Volubile a. b. 



Swainsonia a. b. 

1 Galegifolia a. b. 

2 Albiflora a. b. 

Passiflora a. b. 
1 Cserulea racemosa 

Lonicera a. c. 
1 Japonica 

Convolvulus b. 
Canariensis 

Dolichos 
1 Lignosa 6. 



SOILS. 



It is requisite for the successful cultivation of exo- 
tics to have certain kinds of soil in the compost ground 



6 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



ready for immediate use. They should be laid up 
one year at least, and turned over two or three times 
during that time. Of all soils, loam seems to be the 
most productive, and is in most general use. I shall 
enumerate two only, yellow and brown : these should 
be procured from old pastures, if a sheepwalk the 
better, and the surface or turf part only taken up, 
not more than two inches in thickness ; and if it 
will crumble when rubbed in the hand, so much the 
better, it being of rather an unctuous nature. 

The next kind of soil in request is peat, which is 
the soil the common heath grow 7 s in, and is found on 
extensive commons. 

Bog-peat soil is procured in low swampy grounds, 
and is below the surface ; it is composed of ve- 
getable fibres, and requires to be much exposed to 
the sun and air before it is fit for use ; it is chiefly 
requisite for the growth of orchideous plants. 

Leaf soil is that into which dead leaves are con- 
verted, that are collected together into heaps or pits 
and there left to decompose : this will not be proper 
for use under two years. 

Rotten wood is that which has mouldered from 
decayed trees. 

Bog soil is that which is found in low springy 
ground and also in old woods, the latter of which 
is the best. 

Dung is also used to some extent in cultivating 
exotics : it ought to be good stable manure, well 



SOILS. — DIMENSIONS OF POTS. 



fermented to make it more effectually serviceable ; 
it should be two years old before it is made use of. 

Sand is likewise a most useful kind of earth ; it 
serves to lighten anv soil that is stiff and retentive 
of moisture. The description fit for this purpose is 
the rough pit, or river sand. Cally sand is used 
amongst seed of the more delicate kinds, and several 
kinds of plants,, also for striking cuttings, &c. 

To understand the terms employed in the direc- 
tion for mixing soils, it is to be observed that the 
numbers of parts mentioned is the proportion of 
the mixture. For example, if it is read two parts 
loam, it means two pecks, bushels, or loads, accord- 
ing to the quantity to be used, and so in propor- 
tion with the rest of the soils. 

A LIST OF POTS WITH THEIR NUMBER AND THE 
SIZE OF EACH NUMBER. 

No. Inches in diameter. Inches deep, 

2 22 21 

4 18 18 

6 15 15 

8 13 13 

12 11 11 

16 9 9 

24 .... . 7\ 7| 

32 6£ 6i 

48 5 .... 5 

60 4 4J 

90 31 .... . 4 



3 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



PROPAGATION BY CUTTINGS. 

To ensure success in this operation, it is neces- 
sary that the cuttings be plunged in a gentle bottom 
heat, having also a moist atmosphere in the house 
or frame ; but once a day the moisture should be 
removed and a dry one substituted, for the purpose 
of carrying off the damp, otherwise many of the 
cuttings will be liable to damp off. This change of 
atmosphere is easily effected by giving air early in 
the morning to the house, or by drawing off the 
lights of the frames for a short time in mild days. 
The morning is the best time, previous to the sun 
coming direct upon the cuttings. The more deli- 
cate varieties of greenhouse plants will require a 
bell glass ; also several of the sub-shrubby and 
shrubby stove plants, whilst the more succulent 
ones will succeed better without it. When glasses 
are used, let them be wiped with a dry cloth every 
day. Heaths require to be put in when the wood 
is firm but not ripe or hard wooded, but in such a 
condition that when pressed gently between the 
fingers they receive no injury. All cuttings should 
have a certain number of the lower leaves removed, 
which must be done with a sharp knife, and cut be- 
low the joint. Provide a number of pots filled one 
half with potsherds, or any other drainage ; upon 
this lay a piece of turf, or the rough part of the 
soil which you use to prevent the top soil passing 
through. Some cuttings of a delicate kind re- 



PROPAGATION BY CUTTINGS. 



9 



quire only cally sand, which must be made moist 
and firmly set in the pot. Others should have a 
portion of loam or leaf soil mixed with rough sand. 
Geraniums and calceolarias strike well in it. 

As soon as the cuttings are inserted plunge the 
pots into water, so that the surface be covered ; as 
soon as the air is out of the soil, which is easily 
known, (for as air is lighter than water, the light 
body ascends and in its ascension leaves the water 
to rise) allow the water to drain off before placing 
the pots in the propagating house or frame : the 
plants so treated will not require water for several 
days; indeed, I have struck several plants without 
ever giving them any more water to the soil, though 
occasional sprinklings over head are necessary. 
Where there is not a stove and other conveniences for 
propagating at hand, then the following plan will be 
found to answer very well : provide a box, eight 
inches deep, water-tight ; bore several holes at each 
end, four inches from the top ; place it near the glass ; 
then put four inches of rough drainage, on which lay 
turf or rough soil, and make this firm : upon this 
lay your sifted soil ; have a garden pot at one cor- 
ner for the purpose of supplying water amongst the 
drainage ; this causes damp vapours to rise con- 
tinually, which does away with syringing over head. 
In this way cuttings put in on the 21st of January, 
1842, were rooted on the 15th of February, with no 
other care than shading from the sun. When the 



10 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



box is filled with cuttings, give a good watering to 
settle the earth, and cover the bottom of the box 
with water three inches deep. 

When frames are used, the cuttings must be 
struck in dung heat : for this prepare your dung, 
which must be fresh, if stable dung the better ; 
throw it up into a heap, shaking and mixing it well. 
When the rank vapours are passed off, which will be 
in about fourteen or eighteen days, proceed to make 
your bed ; when it is four feet in thickness at the 
back, and three in the front, put on the frames. Lay 
on fresh saw-dust eight inches thick, and make it firm 
to prevent the steam rising too rapidly ; then put on 
the lights. The next day you may fill the frame with 
cuttings, providing you give air by putting down 
the lights one or two inches when the heat is risen. 
This strong heat is very beneficial to succulent 
plants ; but the shrubby varieties had better be put 
in when the heat has a little subsided. I shade at 
all times from the powerful rays of the sun. 

ON HYBRIDIZING. 

Hybridization is the art of producing mule plants. 
This process is performed by first removing the 
pollen from the stamina before it arrives at its 
greatest state of perfection, that no union may pre- 
viously take place between the stamina and pistil. 
When the flower is at full maturity, remove the 
pollen from the plant with which you wish to cross 



HYBRIDIZING. 



11 



the other ; repeat this once or twice, that you may 
not be disappointed of seed, because it is only from 
experience that you will be able to judge of the 
effects of the pollen upon the stigma. Many culti- 
vators are well acquainted with this process ; but as 
there are also more who are not versed in hybridiz- 
ing, I would wish to encourage them in the pursuit 
by directing their attention to the benefits of it in 
what is effected in some of the most attractive genera 
of plants, for instance, camellias, rhododendrons, aza- 
leas, geraniums, amaryllises or eppeastrums, gladio- 
luses, &c, whose numerous varieties, now far sur- 
passing their parents in beauty, have been obtained 
by the unwearied exertions of the lovers of Flora. 
Not any one should therefore despair of success in 
this delightful pursuit. Let him commence in good 
earnest, and time will amply repay his exertions. 
Flowers, fruits, and vegetables, alike present the 
most astonishing proofs of what can be effected 
by this art, and opens a vast field for the in- 
genuity of man. The different forms in which the 
sexes of plants present themselves to our view, 
are all contrived for one grand purpose, the pre- 
servation of the seed organs. In some plants they 
are inclosed in a long tube, and to effect a cross 
upon such plants, it requires the tube to be cut 
with a sharp penknife in order to remove the pol- 
len from the mother plant, to which the pollen of 
the male plant should be applied with a camel-hair 



12 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



brush. Of this kind is the phlox, with many 
others. In the salvia, a gentle pressure upon the 
upper surface of the flower will cause the stamens 
and pistil to remove out of their canopy for their 
impregnation. It must also be observed, that in 
some plants,, as in the palms, the male flower is 
present on one plant and the female on another. 
In others they are both present upon the same 
plant, but upon different flowers, as in the cucum- 
ber ; and, lastly, they are both present on the same 
flower. 

Observe the centre of any flower, and if its centre 
be perfect, then the female organ is present, which 
is called the pistil. This organ is provided with 
vessels which convey the pollen to the seed-vessel, 
and when it has effected this function, the flower, 
which is of no further use, begins to fade away, some 
nearly instantly., while others remain a long time. 
The stamina or male organs consist of one or more, 
never situated in the centre of the seed-vessel, but 
assuming quite a different character. Sometimes 
they are placed upon the seed-vessel, in other plants 
upon the petals, and in nearly all are in such a situa- 
tion as that the union so necessary for reproduction, 
is carried on in mechanical order. But we find that 
when that is not the case, other means are provided 
by the all-wise Creator, such as insects, &c I cannot 
better illustrate this than by introducing the account 
which Dr. Darwin, in his Note to line 395 of his 



PIYBRIDIZING. 



13 



Botanic Garden, gives of the Villisneria, as it has 
been observed in the river Rhone. 

" They have their roots at the bottom of the river, 
the flowers of the female plant float on the surface 
of the water, and are furnished with an elastic 
spiral stalk, which extends or contracts as the water 
rises or falls. The flowers of the male plant are pro- 
duced under water, and as soon as the fecundating 
farina is mature, they rise to the surface, and are 
wafted by the wind or borne by the current to the 
female flower." 

The most proper situation for plants to be placed 
in whilst they are in flower, for the purpose of pro- 
ducing mule plants, is a dry atmosphere protected 
by a thin net screen to prevent insects from defeat- 
ing your object. If the plants are of a hardy na- 
ture, then place a single light upon four posts and 
surround it with canvass, if in the greenhouse, it 
is easy to make a partition ; the same when the 
plants are in the stove. Observe to keep the plants 
moist at the roots. 

The fittest season for this operation is from May 
to August. In selecting plants on which to pro- 
duce new varieties, first consider the probability of 
your success and the effect to be produced when 
you obtain it, that is, what effect the foliage of the 
male parent will have upon the offspring between 
it and the female, and vice versa ; so also as to the 
flowers, T vThen you have obtained the first remove 



14} GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 

from the parents, continue your crosses upon the 
mule plants. Some florists are apt to think that 
the mules must all prove sterile ; but this is not the 
case, as it is now pretty well ascertained that the 
sterility of the mules, when it occurs, may in some 
cases arise from the difference of the parents' habits : 
but whatever you take in hand with respect to the 
art of hybridizing, do not relinquish your aim at 
the first defeat, but repeat your experiments, and 
there is little doubt but in the end you will ac- 
complish your object. In all cases, previous to 
the pollen being matured, remove it from the sta- 
mens of the plant you wish to produce seed. 



JANUARY, 



CONSERVATORY. 

Fire-heat. — It is requisite for this to be kept a 
little stronger, so as to have a warmer atmosphere 
than the greenhouse. As several plants will be in 
flower which have been in the stove previous to their 
being placed in the conservatory, it will be necessary 
that the thermometer be allowed to rise to nearly 
50° and to be kept at that height, or nearly so, during 
the night. Occasionally put on a fire in the morning 
to carry off the damp: when this is done, admit 
plenty of air. 

Air. — With respect to this, use also a little more 
caution than in the greenhouse ; nevertheless, ad- 
mit air at every opportunity. 

Water. — Examine the borders repeatedly, and 
give such as are near the pipes and flues a good 
watering when dry. Do not always water when 
the surface is dry, but examine the borders, and 
when you find they require water, give it sparingly, 
except where they are near the pipes and flues. 
Plants in pots will require examining every other 
day. 



16 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



Syringe occasionally on a fine morning, and give 
air freely for two or three hours. 

As this house is solely for pleasure, it is highly 
necessary that cleanliness be well attended to : 
therefore, remove, as soon as perceived, any plant, 
leaf, or dirt that would offend the eye. Nothing 
tends to display beauty more than to remove de- 
formity from its side. 

GREENHOUSE. 

At this season of the year, we are subject to se- 
vere frost : it is therefore necessary to guard against 
it by fire, in such proportion as will protect the 
plants from injury, and at the same time prevent 
them from being drawn up weakly. The thermo- 
meter should never exceed 45° ; if allowed to rise 
above that point for any length of time, the plants 
will, in the spring, present a sickly appearance. 
Should you find the plants touched with the frost 
in the morning, do not apply fire-heat, but wait 
until the thermometer rises to 35° or 40°, then sy- 
ringe with cold spring water, and if the sun be 
clouded, keep the house close all the day. By 
following this one direction, your plants will suffer 
but triflingly to what they would if you had applied 
fire-heat. 

Fire-heat applied in the day is of much ad- 
vantage to plants ; it dries up the superfluous 
moisture and carries it off in the air, instead of 



JANUARY. 



17 



forming damp vapours, which are very injurious to 
plants at this season. 

Air. — Air must be admitted in abundance at 
every opportunity : should a cold cutting wind blow 
direct upon the plants, it will then be necessary to 
close the house against it; but whenever the thermo- 
meter in the open air is 35°, it is safe and advisable 
to give the plants air, provided, as I said before, 
there be no cold cutting wind direct upon the plants. 

Water. — At this time of the year, care must be 
exercised in applying this element : let the plants 
be regularly examined, and such as require water 
should have no more than will moisten the earth in 
the pot ; if they be kept from flagging, it is sufficient. 

The Erica is very impatient of either extreme ; 
if kept too wet, it will destroy the plant, and if al- 
lowed to flag, it is death to the most delicate sorts. 

FLOWER-HOUSE. 

This house is appropriated to the growth of stove 
plants, and to the forcing of such plants as can be 
brought into flower during the winter months. 
This house must have a pit for bark, and a cistern 
for water, that the water may be of the same tem- 
perature as the air in the house. 

Heat. — Heat, this month, must be regulated ac- 
cording to the state of the weather. It is opposite 
to nature to have the thermometer at the same de- 
gree on a rough windy night, as on one that is mild 

c 



IS 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY, 



and calm. The thermometer must be from 60° to 
65°, according to the state of the weather. 

Air. — In admitting air, be cautious when the 
wind is cold and cutting, but give it freely on fine 
days, and little only when they are dull and chill. 

When the weather is very cold, keep the house 
shut up : you may always admit air with safety when 
there is no sun, provided there be not any frost, nor 
any cold wind blowing in front of the house. 
Roses require all the air you can admit with safety. 

Always admit air early in the morning if the sun 
is shining, and close early in the afternoon. 

Water. — This must be given freely to all hardy 
plants which are brought in to force. It must be 
poured on the flues early in the morning and late in 
the evening : it causes a steam to rise and fall upon 
the plants, which greatly assists the developement of 
the flower-buds. 

Syringe every morning about nine, and every 
afternoon about three o'clock. 

In this month this house will contain a great 
number of hardy plants, which must be replenished 
with fresh ones as they are removed in bloom into 
the conservatory ; therefore continue to introduce 
roses, rhododendrons, kalmias, azaleas, ledums, An- 
dromedas, loniceras, laburnums, Guelder roses, 
kerrias, the double blooming cherries, and the 
Cydonia japonica ; also bulbs of various kinds. It 
is requisite to fork up the tan about once a month. 



JANUARY. 



x9 



PLANTS COMING INTO FLOWER. 

Ammyrsine. Kerrias. 

Andromedas. Lilacs Persian. 

Azaleas. Mahonias. 

Bilbergia zeberica. Narcissus. 

Camellias. Philadelphus. 

Hardy crocuses. Roses. 

Eronthes. Rhododendron arborea, 

Hellebores. its allies, and the hardy 

Hyacinthus. varieties of tulips. 

Kalmias. 



AMMYRSINE, ANDROMEDAS, AZALEAS. 
For classification and treatment, see Rhodo- 



dendron. 



BILBERGIA ZEBERINA. 
Class, Hexandria. Order, Monogynia. 

Bromeliace^e. 
Native of South America, 1820. — Propagation, 
seeds and suckers. 
dear sir, 

I feel much pleasure in communicating to you 
the mode of culture adopted by me on the above 
plant. In February, I sowed seeds and placed them 
near the glass in a pine stove ; they vegetated in a 
short time. I left them in the seed pot about one 
month ; I then potted them into No. 60 pots, placed 
them near the glass as above, where they grew with 
rapidity. I continued to shift them into the next size 



20 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



until they were in No. 12, at which shifting I plunged 
them into the pine pit, and from this time they re- 
ceived the same quantity of water as the pines : in 
one year from the last shifting they produced flowers, 
and were in great beauty in the winter. Suckers 
are produced in abundance; and the same treat- 
ment as for seed is requisite, that is, to shift as the 
plant fills its pot with roots, and when it receives 
its last shifting, then plunge it into the bark bed 
and treat as above. The soil in which I sowed the 
seed, was light vegetable soil, and for shifting, 
good brown loam, decomposed dung, with a little 
sand to keep it porous. I remain, 

Dear Sir, yours respectfully, 

Denton Gardens, J. DALBY. 

Grantham, Lincolnshire, 
25th March, 1841. 

CAMELLIA. 

Class Monadelphia. Order, Polyandria. 
Camellia. 

Native of China, Nepaul, Japan, 1 773. — Propaga- 
tion, cuttings, inarching, seed. 

It is by hybridizing that so many of these beauti- 
ful shrubs have of late been added to our collections : 
a more lovely shrub is not easily to be found. Its 
bright shining foliage alone would render it deserv- 
ing attention, but when to this are added its beautiful 
flowers of various bright colours, it becomes an 
object of attraction to every beholder. 



JANUARY. 



SI 



To have the camellia in its greatest beauty this 
month, the following mode of treatment should be 
adopted. 

When the plants are not required to blossom 
early, they may be kept in a greenhouse, other- 
wise in the beginning of x\pril they should be re- 
moved into a heat of 55° or 60°, where they should 
remain until October; then they should be removed 
back into the greenhouse until they begin to flower, 
which some will do in December. They may then be 
placed in the conservatory until April, by which time 
they will have done flowering for the season ; then 
move them back into heat as before: at the latter 
end of May, turn one or two out of the pots, and 
examine the roots, if they have struck afresh, (which 
will easily be known by the appearance of young 
w T hite fibres.) Repot the plants immediately. This 
is the time to give them their proper food. 

I have used various soils for this purpose, but I 
consider the following to be the best for producing 
growth and bloom : four parts yellow loam, one 
ditto horse droppings, one ditto peat soil, one ditto 
sand ; mix them together at least six months before 
using, and turn the compost over several times, this 
airs and mellows it : do not sift it, but let it be as 
rough as convenient. For shifting, have a number 
of pots ready drained, one inch deep with rough 
gravel, broken pots, or any other open drainage : 
upon this put the roughest of your soil, one inch 



22 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



thick; turn out the plant, give it a gentle shake 
with the hand to remove a part of the old soil from 
the roots ; if these be matted, take a sharp-pointed 
stick and set at liberty the matted roots ; take away 
from one to two inches of soil from the ball all 
around, then put your plant in a pot about four 
inches wider than the ball ; this leaves two inches 
between it and the pot ; press down the soil gently 
with a lath all round the ball, but not too much. 
If any plant be in a sickly state, shake all the soil 
from its roots, and repot it in a small pot. 

In watering the camellia, it is necessary to be 
cautious against too much wet. This will be the 
case if you are always giving them a little water 
when the surface is rather dry : to be safe, examine 
the plants, and if they are dry give a good watering. 
The camellia is much benefited with syringing the 
foliage, particularly whilst in heat. 



CROCUS. 

Class, Triandria. Order, Monogynia. 

IrIDEjE. 

Treatment, same as Hyacinthus. (p. 24.) 



MUSACE.E. 

Class, Pentandria. Order, Digynia. 

1 . Cape of Good Hope, 1773. — Strelitzia Reginae. 
— Propagation, suckers. — Flowers yellow, purple 
beneath. 



JANUARY. 



23 



2. Cape of Good Hope, 1778. — Str. Augustifolia, 
May, June. — Flowers yellow. 

These beautiful plants are of easy culture, and 
when grown and flowered will possess great at- 
traction. 

Soil. — I pot my plants in equal parts of loam, 
peat, and decomposed horse droppings, to which I 
add a little rough sand. 

Water. — Give a good supply when the plants 
are in the stove, but only a little when dormant. 

I introduce them into the flower-house in June, 
where they remain until they flower, which they do 
in January, when they are removed into the con- 
servatory, and they remain there until June, at 
which time I repot them, removing a part of the old 
soil, and taking care not to damage the roots. I 
give a good draining by inverting a small pot over 
the hole of that which I intend for the plant, and 
filling up to it with potsherds. By the above treat- 
ment they flower freely. 

ERANTHES HYEMALIS. HELLEBORUS NIGER. 

Class, Polyandria. Order, Polygyria. 

Raxuxculace^:. 

Native of Italy, 1596. — Propagation, offsets. 

If planted in pots and allowed to stand in frames 
in the winter, will produce their flowers at this 
season of the year. 



24 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



HYACINTHUS. 
Class, Hexandria. Order, Monogynia. 

AsPHODELEiE. 

Native of the Levant, 1596. — Propagation, off- 
sets. 

Pot the bulbs in September, in Nos. 32 and 48, 
in the following compost : two parts vegetable soil, 
two parts good turfy loam, one part decomposed 
cow-dung, one part sand ; put a little sand beneath 
the bulb, and a little above it, fill up with the soil. 
Place the pots in any convenient situation, cover all 
up with sand one inch thick on the top of them ; 
take as many as you wish for the first bloom into 
the flower-house in October, and others as they 
are wanted for succession, every three weeks or 
thereabouts. 

NARCISSUS. 
Class, Hexandria. Order, Monogynia. 

AmARYLLIDEjE. 

Natives chiefly of Europe, several of England. — 
Propagation, seeds and offsets. 

Treatment, same as the Hyacinthus. 



TULIPS. 

Class, Hexandria. Order, Monogynia. 

Tulipaceje. 
Native of Levant. 
The double and single Van Thol and the Parrot 



JANUARY. 



:25 



tulips force well, if treated as the hyacinthus, but 
the later blowing varieties must not be placed in 
the flower-house until January. 



CROCUS. 

Class, Triandria. Order, Monogynia. 

IrIDEjE. 

This little favourite forces well, if treated as the 
Hyacinthus. 



PHILADELPHUS. 
Varieties of the Syringa. 
Class, Icosandria. Order, Monogynia. 
Philadelphe;e. 

Native of Europe. — Propagation, suckers. 

This shrub forces early, and is brought into 
bloom with little care. In the spring, plant a num- 
ber of suckers in the open ground. After they 
have stood two years, lift and pot them in the 
month of March or April, to be ready for forcing. 
Put them into pots proportionable to the size of 
the plants, and plunge the pots up to the rim in 
the kitchen garden ; water them in dry weather 
during the summer months. In October remove 
as many as you wish for early bloom into the 
flower-house, and introduce others for succession 
as required ; when done flowering, turn the plants 
out of the pots, part them and plant them in the 
kitchen garden, where let them remain one year to 
recover before forcing again. 



26 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



KALMIA, LATIFOLIA. ETC. 
North America,, 1734. 

See Rhododendron. 



KERRIA JAPONICA. THE CORCHORUS. 

Class, Icosandria. Order, Polygynia. 

Rosacea. 

Native of Japan, 1700. — Propagation, suckers. 

Suckers planted out in March, will in March fol- 
lowing be ready for potting, at which time they 
must be cut down close to the ground, as it is the 
young wood which produces the flowers. Placed 
in the flower-house in October, they will be in. 
flower at Christmas ; and for succession, it is only 
requisite to introduce them into the house every 
fortnight or three weeks. 



ROSA. 

Class, Icosandria. Order, Polygynia. 

Rosacea. 

Propagation, seeds, grafting, budding, layers, 
and cuttings. 

The moss, Provins, Dumas, and crimson per- 
petual, force well, if the plants are strong and 
healthful. It is requisite to the successful forcing 
of roses, that a quantity of fine young plants be 
potted every spring and plunged in an open space 
in the kitchen garden ; they should be kept well 



JANUARY. 



27 



supplied with water during dry weather, and the 
buds which form for flowering be pinched off as 
soon as they appear. At the latter end of August, 
pinch the head out of each shoot, this strengthens 
the shoot and nourishes the buds intended to pro- 
duce blooming shoots. In October prune them^ 
and remove as many as are wanted early into the 
flower-house. Place them on the tan, as near to the 
glass as possible ; keep the plants moist with sy- 
ringing them. When they have done blooming, if 
convenient, put them in the greenhouse, watering 
them only when very dry : this ripens the young 
wood, and if placed close under a north wall from 
May to August, the pots laid on their sides to keep 
out the wet, they will bloom well the following 
year. In August set the pots upright and give a 
good watering ; nothing more will be necessary 
until October, when proceed as directed with young 
plants. 

Soil. — Two parts good loam, one part dung, with 
a little rough sand. 

RHODODENDRON. 
Class, Decandria. Order, Monogynia. 

ErICEjE. 

Native country, North America, Siberia, Switzer- 
land, and Lapland ; the Arboreum is from Nepaul. 
— Propagation, seeds, layers, inarching. 

The greenhouse varieties of this beautiful shrub 



28 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



are brought into flower this month by the following 
treatment. In April, shift the plants into bog-soil ; 
if you wish to have very large plants, give them 
pots of a sufficient size for their growth ; if you 
keep them within limited bounds, then only reduce 
the ball, and replant in the same pot: after this 
repotting, the plants are to be placed in a heat of 
about 55°, where they must remain until the blos- 
soms begin to unfold, which will be at the latter 
end of December. Give them a little more water 
than you give the camellias. They may be re- 
moved again in April into heat as before. 

These plants will flower equally as well in the 
greenhouse, only not so early. 

The hardy varieties, if planted in bog soil, and 
watered well in May and June when the weather 
is dry, will be greatly assisted in setting their 
bloom. Go over these in October, and such plants 
as you find to have good firm buds, pot, and after 
giving them a plentiful watering, place them in 
the flower-house, they will blossom this month. 

The treatment here laid down for the common 
rhododendron will apply to the following plants, 
all of which belong to the same order. Azaleas, 
kalmias glauca and rubra, (latifolia will flower in 
March, if placed in the flower-house in October,) 
ledum, Andromeda, ammyrsine. Erica carnea, 
taken into the greenhouse in October will flower 
this month. 



JANUARY. 



29 



For successional bloom, place plants in the 
flower-bouse once a fortnight or three weeks. It 
is necessary to take a succession of plants into the 
flower-house only when a succession of bloom is 
required to be kept up. 



CYDONIA JAPONICA. 

Class, Isocandria. Order, Dipentagynia. 
Pomaces. 

Japan, 1815. — Propagation, layers. 

A dwarf shrub, forces well when established in 
pots. If placed in the flower-house in January, it 
will bloom in a short time. It requires a season 
of rest, therefore must only be forced every other 
year. Prune out any of the weak straggling 
shoots, and shorten others as you see occasion 
for it. 

MAHONIA. 

Class, Hexandria. Order, Monogynia. 

BeRBERIDEjE. 

Native of North America. — Propagation, seeds 
and suckers. 

Treated as the hardy rhododendron, will flower 
this month, with this exception, it must be placed 
close under the glass in the flower-house, giving 
an abundance of water. 



so 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



SYRINGA VULGARIS ET PERSICA. THE LILAC. 

Class, Diandria. Order, Monogynia. 

Oleits t ,e. 

Native of Persia. — Propagation, suckers. 

The above shrubs force well,, if planted out in 
good garden soil, and potted as wanted. I like a 
few standards : they are easily introduced amongst 
the plants, and have a fine effect when in flower : 
I prune the heads to keep them within due bounds. 
After being forced, turn them out of their pots, and 
give them one year's rest, when they may be forced 
again. 

FEBRUARY. 

CONSERVATORY. 

The directions given in January for heat, air, 
and water, will be sufficient for this month. 

The green fly is a very troublesome insect, if 
left to multiply, without checking it. The most 
effectual remedy is to fumigate with leaf tobacco, 
filling the house with its fumes, so that a person 
holding a candle could not be perceived at two 
yards' distance. In the morning, give a good 
syringing to dislodge the dead insects, and let in 
abundance of air. 

Previously to fumigating the house, remove any 
delicate heaths or other tender plants in bloom. 

The general appearance of the house will be im- 
proved by top-dressing the borders. The plants 



FEBRUARY. 



31 



in pots, and tubs, oranges also, require a top-dress- 
ing of sheep's dung ; it is of much service to them 
by giving the plants fresh supply of nourishment. 

Replace those plants which have done flowering, 
with others in bloom. 

GREENHOUSE. 
Heat, air, and water as last month. In this 
month it is necessary to shift a very great number 
of plants, and to pot off such cuttings as have stood 
all winter in store pots. About the middle of the 
month commence a general shifting of geraniums, 
calceolarias, verbenas, heliotropes, and several 
other herbaceous and sub-shrubby plants which 
you may observe to require it. It is also time to 
put in the spring cuttings ; for which, see direc- 
tions for striking cuttings, Page 8. 

FLOWER-HOUSE. 
Heat, air, and water as last month. Early this 
month, it will be proper to fork up the tan two 
feet deep ; this operation raises a fresh heat, and 
gives a clean appearance to the house. Continue 
to replace the plants removed in flower with fresh 
ones. Pinks may be introduced about the middle 
of the month, placing them on a shelf near the 
glass. 

Fumigate to destroy the green fly, if not already 
done. 

The red spider is another troublesome insect ; 



32 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



but it is easily kept down with the alkaline extract : 
I have used it on the most delicate stove plants with- 
out the least injury to them, and have always found 
it certain destruction to the spider. When the ex- 
tract is applied to any plants, air should be given 
in abundance for the following day or two. 

See the advertisement accompanying this work, 
for the particulars of the Alkaline Extract. 

A LIST OF THE PLANTS COMING INTO FLOWER. 

Anisanthus cunonia, Laburnum. 

Cineraria, varieties of. Lachenalia, varieties of. 

Daphne odora. Primula prsenitens. 

Dianthus arboreus. Sparaxis, varieties of. 

Deutzea scabea. Trichonema bulboco- 

Gladiolus, varieties of. dium. 

Ixias, varieties of. Tritonia euvaria. 



ANISANTHUS CUNONIA. 
Treatment, see Ixias. 



CINERARIA. 
Class, Syngenesia. Order, Superflua. 

CoMPOSITiE. 

Propagation, seeds, cuttings, suckers. 

This genus is deserving a place in every con- 
servatory on account of its showy flowers. It has 
lately been much improved by the persevering 
hybridizer, and is still progressing. It is common 
to every quarter of the globe. 



FEBRUARY* 



33 



The genus is sub-shrubby in its character, 
with herbaceous varieties. The King and Bicolor 
are varieties of the former, and the Princess 
Royal, and Waterhousiana, of the latter. When 
it is desirable to have a succession of bloom from 
August till May, it will be requisite to strike 
cuttings in July and again in February : those 
planted in July must be potted as soon as struck, 
at which time the herbaceous varieties must be 
parted and potted off into Xo. 60 pots, in which 
let them remain until February; then shift them 
into the next size as they fill their pots with roots, 
and continue so shifting them until they are in the 
size in which they are to bloom. If your object is 
to obtain fine strong plants, then some of the 
strongest of them will require Xo. 12 size pots. 
When they are established in the pots in which they 
are to bloom, water with duns water twice a-week : 
they will commence blooming in August. Those 
you wish to blossom in November, December, and 
January, must have the flower stems cut out as 
they appear, until October. 

The plants which are to supply bloom from 
February to May, must be struck in February,, and 
shifted as they fill the pots with roots until they 
are in the pots in which they are to bloom ; then 
water with dung water as above. Remove the 
flowers as they appear, until January ; then allow 
them to form their buds for blooming. Their 

D 



$4 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



situation when in the greenhouse must be as near 
the glass as possible. 

Water. — They require to be kept rather moist 
at all seasons, and to be abundantly watered when 
blooming, if the plants are in good health, other- 
wise be cautious of too much water. 

Soil.— Equal parts of brown loam, leaf soil, and 
dung, with about one-fourth rough sand. The 
delicate varieties do better with cally sand. 

LIST OF CINERARIA. 

1. Prince of Wales. o. Magnet. 

.2. Splendida. 6. Unique. 

3. Madonna. 7. Hendersonia* 

4. GrandifTora. 

IPOMCEA LEARII. 
CoNVOLVULACEjE. 

This is a plant of great beauty ; the flowers on 
their first expansion are of a beautiful blue colour, 
which are produced in great profusion. 

It delights in a strong heat, but it will grow and 
flower in a heat of 55°. 

I grow it in pots and train it over trellises, which 
it quickly covers : train in about six shoots to each 
plant ; cut all the lateral ones away : these will 
continue growing and blooming without producing 
that confusion as when all the shoots and laterals 
are retained. 



FEBRUARY. 



35 



Ppopagatiox. — They strike freely from cuttings, 
which ought to be struck early in summer, and 
kept in small pots during winter in the greenhouse. 
Early in spring pot them into large pots, and fix 
the trellises in them ; remove the plants so pot- 
ted into the flower-house, or put them into an early 
forcing vinery : pot others in May to come in suc- 
cession. 

Soil. — They delight in equal quantities of dung 
and loam. 

Water. — Give but little water during winter, 
but when in a vigorous growing state give an 
abundance, and, when well established in the large 
pots, water with dung water once a week. 



DAPHNE ODORA. 

Class, Octaxdria. Order, Moxogyxia. 

Thymelje.e. 

Native of China, 1771. — Propagation, cuttings. 

This delightfully scented flowering shrub, if kept 
in the greenhouse during the summer months, will 
blossom in abundance this month. Shift it in April 
into larger pots ; reduce the ball a little, and set 
the matted roots at liberty. 

Soil, the same as for the Camellia. 



36 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



DENTZEA SCABRA. 
Philadelphe^. 
Native of Japan. — Propagation, cuttings, suck- 
ers. 

This beautiful shrub forces well. Place it in the 
flower-house in December, and it will bloom this 
month. It grows well in common garden soil. 

DIANTHUS ARBOREUS. 
Class, Decaxdria. Order, Digyxia. 

Caryophylle^:. 
Native of Greece, 1820. — Propagation, layers, 
and pipings. 

If potted in loam, leaf and vegetable soil, and 
treated as a common greenhouse plant, it will 
flower this month. 



ixiA, varieties of ; sparaxis, varieties of ; tri- 

TONIA, EUVAR1A, GLADIOLUS RECURVUS, UXDTJL AI~~ 8 

CARXEA, AXISAXTHUS cuxoxia, trichoxema bul- 

BOCADIUM. 

Class, Triaxdria. Order, Moxogyxia, 

Ixide^e. 

Natives chiefly of Cape of Good Hope ; first in- 
troduced 1757. 

These beautiful bulbs will flower this month 
with the following treatment : — 

Early in August, pot your bulbs in Nos. 60 and 
48 size pots, according to their strength, using as 



FEBRUARY. 



37 



compost, loam, leaf mould, and peat, equal parts, 
with about one-sixth part cally sand. As soon 
as they are potted, place them in a cold frame, pro- 
tecting them from heavy rains during the night. 
Let them remain there until November ; then re- 
move them into the greenhouse ; place them on a 
shelf near the glass ; give them a good supply of 
water whilst in a growing state. Remove them 
into the conservatory, as they show bloom : as 
soon as the herbage begins to decay, withhold 
water by degrees. When the leaves are decayed, 
remove them into a shed until August. 

The same treatment is suitable for the Lachena- 
lia and Oxalis. 



LABURNUM CYTISUS. 

Class , Monadelphia. Order, Decandria. 

LEGUMINOSiE. 

Native of Britain, — Propagation, seeds, inarch- 
ing, and budding. 

This is a beautiful dwarf tree, which forces well 
when not introduced into heat too early ; the 
second or third week in December is as early as it 
will force. Trees for this purpose may be had of 
the nurserymen, who always have a stock on hand 
for forcing. They should be on single stems, 
something similar to standard roses. In this form 
they present a very pleasing contrast in this and 
the following months, if introduced for succession 



38 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



once a fortnight into the flower-house. Potting 
should be performed as soon as the leaf is fallen, 
that they may be the better established in the pots. 
They will be ready for forcing when they have had 
one summer's growth. Those which are forced 
one winter, must be allowed to rest the ensuing 
winter to recover. It is requisite to prune them 
by cutting away the weakest shoots, and shorten- 
ing the luxuriant ones, this causes them to pro- 
duce short spurs ; it should be done as soon as 
they have ceased flowering, to enable them to bloom 
the next winter. 

In potting, use strong rich garden soil. 



LACHENALIA PENDULA, TRICOLOR, QUADRX- 

COLOR. 

Class, Hexandria. Order, Monogynia. 

ASPHODELE^I. 

Native of Cape of Good Hope. — Propagation, 
offsets. 

Treatment, see Ixia. 



OXALIS — PURPUREA, LUTEA, BOWII ? 
VERSICOLOR. 
Class, Decandria. Order, Pentagynia. 

OXALIDE^E. 

Native of Cape of Good Hope. — Propagation-, 
offsets. 

Treatment, see Ixia, 



FEBRUARY. 



39 



PRIMULA PRiENITENS, FLORA ALBA. 

PrimulacejE. 
Class, Pentandria. Order, Monogynia. 

Native of China, 1820. — Propagation, seeds and 
division. 

This charming plant requires to be raised from 
seed, which should be sown in March. The young 
plants should be potted into thumb pots as soon as 
they will admit of removal, and shifted during the 
summer months until they are sufficiently grown 
for No. 24. The soil adapted for them is leaf 
mould and loam of equal proportions: they will 
flower in the autumn ; but those which you wish 
to blossom in this and the following spring months, 
you must keep back by pinching off the flower 
stems as they appear : by this process an abund- 
ance of bloom will be produced at this season of 
the year. 

If planted out in a bed in the flower-garden, 
they have a beautiful appearance, and are very 
ornamental in the autumnal months. 



VIBURNUM, OPULIS. THE GUELDER ROSE. 

Class, Pentandria. Order, Trigynia. 

Caprifoliaceje. 
Native of Britain. — Propagation, suckers. 
Treatment, see Syringa, except that the time 
of placing in heat must be in December. 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



IXGA HARRISII. 
Class, Pol yg ami A, Order, Mongbcia. 

Legtmixos.e. 
The genus is very extensive, but this is a 
recently introduced species,, being first known in 
1 S3 7 in this country. The temperature in which 
this genus flourishes is various : in its dormant 
state it requires from 40 c to 60° ; but it should 
never when at rest be in a lower or higher one. 
When in a growing state, from 60° to 100° is the 
minimum and maximum, allowing them air accord- 
ing to the season. When growing, they do much 
better if syringed. 

They strike very freely from cuttings of the 
half ripened wood ; the best time for taking which 
is from March to June : when rooted, pot them 
into small 60 pots, and place them in a gentle bot- 
tom heat ; as soon as they have filled their pots 
with roots, shift into large 60. and replace them as 
before ; shift again, as soon as these pots are filled 
with roots, into No. 4S, and place them in the stove 
where they can be shaded from the sun : in this 
situation let them remain until they have struck 
fresh roots, when they must be brought forward, 
and inured by degrees to the sun's rays. They 
should never be allowed to get pot-bound, as that 
is detrimental to their flowering freely. 

The best compost for this species is very light 
turfy loam, leaf soil, and decomposed dung, of 



MARCH. 



equal quantities, with the addition of a portion of 
rough sand. 

P. N. DON. 

MARCH. 

CONSERVATORY. 

Continue fire-heat during the evening, though 
there be no frost, otherwise the plants removed 
from the flower-house will suffer. Admit air freely 
on fine days. 

Water will be more in demand than last month. 
Look carefully over the plants every other day, 
and give a good watering. 

Syringe as often as you can when the mornings 
are fine, taking care that no wet falls on the blos- 
soms, as it causes early decay. Remove all plants 
in pots as soon as they have done flowering, and 
replace them with fresh ones. 

It is advisable, about once a month, to vary 
the effect of the conservatory by removing the 
plants, and arranging them in a situation different 
from that they before presented ; the well known 
truth that variety is pleasing, being as applicable 
in this arrangement of the conservatory as in any 
other case. Such a disposition of the plants may 
be made by placing, at one time, all those of one 
colour in one group, and at another time, so 
placing them as to form a mixed group. 



42 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



GREENHOUSE. 

Heat. — Every gardener must be guided by the 
weather. If it be frosty keep as much fire-heat as 
will secure the plants from being injured ; but on 
mild nights do not put on the fire. It will be neces- 
sary to observe the appearance of the evening as it 
advances, for it frequently happens that at sunset 
it is even warm for the season, without the least in- 
dication of frost, and this mildness of the atmo- 
sphere will continue until nine or even ten o'clock, 
when a change will take place, and a very sharp 
frost succeed. In sudden changes like this, there 
would be great risk of damage to the plants, unless 
the weather be watched and timely precaution taken 
against such unexpected contingencies. 

All plants requiring to be shifted last month, if 
neglected, must be attended to as early as possible 
in the present one. Geraniums and other plants 
which are now growing freely should have a good 
supply of water ; they should not be kept conti- 
nually wet, but be suffered to remain until they re- 
quire watering, and then it should be afforded 
plentifully. Cut or pinch off the lateral shoots on 
the geranium flower stems. See Geranium. 

Syringe on fine mornings, and occasionally put on 
a fire to carry off the damp. 

Air. — Admit as much as possible during the day, 
but shut up close during the evening. 



MARCH. 



43 



FLOWER-HOUSE. 

Heat. — Keep the thermometer about 65° during 
the evening, and on cold windy days. 

Air. — Admit freely on fine days, giving it early 
in the morning, and closing the house early in the 
evening. 

Water freely all plants which are in a vigor- 
ous growing state, using dung water occasionally 
to such as require this stimulant, as cannas, 
hedychium, Thunbergias, cactus, musa, strelitzias, 
alpinias, vincas, &c, &c. 

Continue to syringe every morning and evening, 
and to pour water on the flues the first thing in the 
morning and the last in the evening. 

Introduce such bulbs and shrubs as are required 
for succession, and now bring in the hydrangea, if 
it is intended for blooming in May. 

I have not thought it necessary to give a repe- 
tition of the bulbs and shrubs, because all that will 
force into flower in the two preceding months will 
do so in this and the succeeding ones until they 
blossom in the open air. 

LIST OF PLANTS COMING INTO BLOOM THIS MONTH, 

Arctotis grandiflora. Echium fastuosum. 

Azalea Indica, with its Gazania pavonia. 
varieties. Genista Canadensis- 

' Celsia cretica. Spigelia Maryland ica, 

Coronella glauca. 



±4 



yz'iDz to coxservat 



ARCTOTIS OR AN DLFL OR A . YELLOW, 

Class, Syngenesia. Order. Necessaria. 

Composite. 

Native of Cape of Good Hope. 1794. — Propa- 
gation, cuttings. 

Grows well in loam. peat, and bog- soil. Pot in 
May. 

AZALEA INDICA. WITH ITS VARIETIES. 
Class, Pextandeia. Order, Monogyxia. 

Ericeje. 

Native of China. 1 SOS. — ■Propagation, seed-: '. 
cuttings. 

This is one of the many productions of that 
highly favoured clime. China, which are so de- 
servedly objects of the gardener's particular care. 
The azalea grows and flowers well in equal parts 
of peat and bog-soil, with about one-eighth part of 
cally sand. Re-pot in May. taking care to drain 
the pot well, and to give a moderate shift when re- 
potting. Set the matted roots at liberty, and re- 
move a portion of the old soil. Keep the pic 
in the greenhouse ail the year ; do not sutler them 
to flag for want of water. Should any plants ap- 
pear sickly, shake as much of the mould from the 
roots as will permit it to 20 into a small pot. in which 
let it remain until it has recovered, then give a mo- 
derate shift when the pot is filled with roots. If 
required to bloom in February, place them in a 



MARCH. 



gentle heat, and they will flower without injuring 
them. 



CELSIA CRETICA. YELLOW. 
Class, Didynamia. Order, Axgiosperma. 

SoLA>TE.E. 

Native of Crete, 1753. — Propagation, seeds and 
divisions. 

The seeds should be sown in March in heat, and 
when the young plants are sufficiently large they 
should be transplanted into small pots, and shifted as 
they fill them with roots until they are in No. 16, 
in which they should remain. The only care then 
is to treat them as other greenhouse plants. Give 
them plenty of water while in a growing state. 



CORONELLA GLAUCA. YELLOW. 
Class. Diadelfhia. Order, Decahdria. 

Leguminos.e. 
Native of France, 1722. — Propagation, cuttings. 
If potted in May, using the following kind of 
soil, it will bloom abundantly. Yellow loam, old 
rotten dung, and common garden soil, in equal parts, 
with a little rough sand. 



46 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



ECHIUM FASTUOSUM, BLUE. 
Class, Pentandria. Order, Monogynia. 

BoRAGINEjE. 

Native of the Cape of Good Hope, 1 759. — - 
Propagation, seeds and cuttings. 

This is a most charming early flowering shrub. 
Its chief beauty is in its fine noble spike of flowers, 
differing from plants in blossom at this season of the 
year. Pot into large pots as soon as they have 
done blooming, in strong rich soil. Keep up a 
succession of young plants, and throw the old ones 
away. 



GAZANIA PAVONIA, YELLOW, DARK CENTRE. 
Class, Syngenesia Polygamia. Order, Frustranea. 
Composite. 

Native^of Cape of Good Hope, 1804. — Propa- 
gation, cuttings. 

A delightful little greenhouse plant of easy cul- 
ture. It requires to be grown in bog, with a little 
loam and cally sand, and to be kept near the glass. 

GENISTA CANARIENSIS, YELLOW. 
Class, Monadelphia. Order, Decandria. 

Leguminosje. 
Native of the Canaries, 1812. — Propagation, 
seeds and cuttings. 

Requires the same treatment as the Coronella. 



MARCH. 



47 



SPIGELIA MARYLANDICA, SCARLET. 
Class, Pentandria. Order, Monogynia. 

Gentianeje. 

Native of N. America, 1694. — Propagation, 
division. 

This is a delightful little plant ; it grows well in 
peat and bog, with a proportion of cally sand. As 
soon as the foliage indicates decay, gradually sus- 
pend watering : when the foliage is decayed, place 
the pots in any shady situation, laying them on their 
sides to keep out the heavy rain ; let them remain 
in this state until August, when shake out all the 
mould from the roots and pot as above. 



CYPERUS ALTERNIFOLIUS. 

Class, Triandria. Order, Monogynia. 

Cyperaceje. 

Madagascar, 1781. — Propagation, suckers. 

A stove plant: its chief recommendation is its 
singular appearance. It produces a curious con- 
trast to the surrounding plants, and when mixed in 
a group adds greatly to the effect of it. It is of 
easy culture, requiring rich soil and plenty of 
water. 

APHELEXIS HUMILIS. (MARCH TO AUG.) 
Class, Syngenesia. Order, Superflua. 
Composite. 

Cape of Good Hope, 1 810. — Propagation, cuttings. 



48 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



A greenhouse plant of much beauty in its 
foliage and flower, and when grown to perfection 
is a fine contrast to the foliage of surrounding 
plants. 

Soil. — Sandy fibrous peat, exposed to the air 
some time previous to using it : if not thus purified 
by the air and sun, you will fail of success in the 
cultivation of this plant, for it is absurd to ex- 
pect to grow fine delicate plants in soil contain- 
ing impure vapours. The aphelexis will require 
to be placed in a situation which will admit of 
its having the benefit of a free circulation of air, 
and as much of the sun's rays as possible. Let it 
remain in the greenhouse all the year if you are 
not provided with a canvass screen to throw over 
such species of plants in heavy rains. 

Give a good drainage, and do not give excess of 
w ater, nor yet allow the plant to flag. 

It is propagated from cuttings inserted in peat 
-and cally sand of equal quantities, and placed in a 
gentle bottom heat without a bell glass, as they are 
very apt to damp off. 

APRIL. 

CONSERVATORY. 

Heat. — Keep but little fire during the night in 
mild weather ; occasionally put on a fire in the 
morning to dry up the damp. 

Air. — Admit as much as you can when fine ; if 



APRIL. 



the weather be cold admit but little, and close up 
early in the evening. 

Water. — Examine the borders : if dry, give a 
good watering on fine mornings ; if any of them be 
soddened, remove as much of the old soil as you 
can without injuring the roots of the plants, fill up 
with fresh compost. It is also necessary to take 
away part of the top soil generally and renew it 
with fresh : this will be of much service to the 
plants if done without cutting any of the roots. 

The climbing plants will now require pruning 
and thinning. The passifloras may be now cut 
back to the old stem, leaving any shoots you may 
wish to preserve. The lateral ones should be cut 
to within half an inch of the stem : this causes strong 
blooming shoots to put out from the spur, which 
will commence flowering in August, and continue 
during the winter months. Maurandias must be 
cut in a similar manner ; other climbers will need 
thinning only. Go over all the plants and prune 
out all weak shoots ; for when they are left they 
only tend to weaken the plants, whilst they are of 
no service. 

GREENHOUSE. 

Fire. — But very little heat will suffice at this 
season of the year, but when the weather is frosty 
put on a little fire. Put on a little fire occasionally 

E 



.50 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



during the day, to dry up the damp occasioned by 
watering the plants. 

AiR.^ — As much as possible should be admitted 
on mild days, and if the weather be very mild to- 
wards the latter end of the month, leave on a little 
during the night. 

Water. — Daily attention should be paid to this: 
the geraniums, calceolarias, and other herbaceous 
plants coming into bloom should be occasionally 
watered with dung water. 

Syringe every other day, if the weather be warm 
with plenty of sunshine. Remove as many plants 
as you can out of the house, and put them into 
cold frames, covering them up at night if there is 
appearance of frost: by the additional room thus 
obtained, the remaining plants have a better chance 
of making fine specimens. It is advisable to ele- 
vate a certain number of plants a little, by placing 
inverted pots upon the stage and setting those with 
the plants upon them : by this arrangement a more 
free circulation of air will pass round each indi- 
vidual plant. 

FLOWER-HOUSE. 

Heat. — Continue as much fire as will keep the 
thermometer about 65° during the night. 

Air. — Admit more freely this month. Close 
the house on sunny days when the thermometer is 
about 80°. then svrinere it. Dailv syringing should 



APRIL. 



51 



be attended to early in the morning and about 
three o'clock in the afternoon. In the evening 
pour water on the flues to create steam. 

This is a busy month : many plants which have 
been dormant require repotting early in the month. 
Remove the bulbs and shrubs which are still in 
the house as they come into bloom. 

Give plenty of water to all vigorously growing 
plants, but do not sodden the soil. 

LIST OF PLANTS COMINO IXTO BLOOM. 



Agapanthus umbellatus. 
Aloe and its varieties! 
Amaryllis Johnsonii, 

vittata. 
Strumaria undulata. 
Carmichaelia Australis. 
Cereus speciosissimus. 
Crinum erubescens. 
Cyclamen coum, Persi- 

cum. 

Cypripedium calceolus. 
Dianthus. 

Edwardsia grandiflora. 
Epiphyllium Jenkin- 



sonii, speciosum, and 

several others. 
Gastrolobium bilobum. 
Gompholobium grandi- 

florum. 
Heliotropium. 
Hydrangea hortensis. 
Jasminum Sambac, 

grandiflora. 
Lobelia crinus, bicolor, 

and several others of 

similar habits. 
Yucca superbum and its 
allies. 



52 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



AGAPANTHUS UMBELL ATU S. BLUE, 
Class, Hexakdria. Order, Monogynia. 

Hemerocaleidex. 

Native of the CapeofGood Hope. 1692. — Pro- 
pagation, seeds, division. 

As soon as the plants have done blooming, se- 
lect a number of the oldest of them and detach 
the suckers, which pot singly into No. 16 size 
pots : when this is done, give them a good water- 
ing and place them in the flower-house, where they 
must remain until they blooiu»; this will be in the 
following spring, if they are potted in May. As 
soon as they have done blooming, shift them into 
No. 8 pots, and replace them in the flower-house 
until June, when they may be put out into the 
open air. to remain till October ; at which time 
remove them into the greenhouse, and finally, id 
January, into the flower-house. They will bloom 
in April. Those which are intended to be brought 
into flower in January must be placed in the flower- 
house in October. For succession, pot a certain 
number every spring, and plant the old stocks 
out in a warm situation in the open borders, or 
throw them away. Plants of two or three years 
old bloom better than older plants. 

Soil. — Two parts loam, one good decomposed 
dung, to which add a little rough sand. 

Water. — Give in abundance when the plants 



APRIL. 



53 



are in the flower-house, occasionally using dung 
water. They will not require so much while they 
are in the open air and the greenhouse, that time 
being their season of rest. 



ALOE AND ITS VARIETIES. 
Class, Hexandria, Order, Monogynia. 

HEMEROCALLlDEiE. 

Native chiefly of the Cape of Good Hope. — 
Propagation, suckers and the leaves. 

There is a great number of this curious genus 
worthy of a place in collections. They succeed 
well in two parts loam, one dung, with a little 
rough sand. 



AMARYLLIS JOHNSONII, VITTATA, ETC. 

Class, Hexandria. Order, Monogynia. 

Amaryllide,e. 

Native of Cape of Good Hope. — Propagation, 
seeds, offsets. 

To enumerate all the fine species of this exten- 
sive genus would be foreign to a small work like 
this. I have, however,, selected two well known 
species, Johnsonii and Vittata : the treatment given 
for these is suitable for most others of this genus. 

This interesting tribe of plants is of easy cul- 
ture, and under judicious management will furnish 



•54 



GUIDE TO THZ C y S Z P. V A T ?. Y . 



specimens in bloom at any season of the year. 
Presuming that you have strong £o~eri.i:j bulb 5. 
and rhar you wish to have them in bloom in every 
mouth of the year, it is requisite to place then: in 
the uowerhouse every month, removing then: suc- 
cessively, as they perfect their foliage, into the 
greenhouse, where they are to remain in their 



rets for six months, when they must be taken 
down, and as much of the old soil removed from 
the top as can be done without injuring the fleshy 
roots ; then give a good watering and replenish with 
fresh sou, 



Mr. Sweet recommends turning them out of 
their pots, and laying them upon shelves in die 
greenhouse. As soon as the bulbs bave done 
flowering. I take part of the old soil from the 
roots, and repot in pots proportionate to the size 
of the bulbs. I then place them in the flower- 
house until the foliage is perfectly ripe. 

Soil.— Two parts strong loam, one part very 
rotten dung, with about one-sixth :f rough sand, 

Watek. — When they are placed in die flower- 
house they require a large supply., particularly 
when shewing bloom ; it should, however, be gra- 
dually diminished as the foliage decays. 

The strongest bulbs require no water when they 
are in the greenhouse : but the weakest plants 
must have a moderate supply once a month, in 
order to prevent them from shrivelling up. 



APRIL. 



55 



To increase the strength of the foliage is of the 
utmost importance ; therefore, when in the flower- 
house, place them near the glass, that they may 
have the benefit of light. In order to increase the 
bulbs you should plant them very deep in the pots : 
this causes them to produce offsets, but the bulb 
always is weakened by it. 

To have them in bloom this month, they must 
be put in the flower-house in February. There is a 
little difference in the time of blooming. They have 
blossomed with me about the middle of Septem- 
ber when they were introduced into the flower- 
house early in August, whilst others, brought in at 
the same time, have flowered in the second week 
of October. 



CARMICHAELIA AUSTRALIS. 

Class, Decandria. Order, Monogynia. 

Leguminos^e. 
Native of New Holland. — Propagation, seed, 
cuttings. 

This curious flowering pendent shrub is worthy 
a place in every collection : its character, as to its 
blooming, is similar to that of the epiphyllum. For 
its treatment see Edwardsia. 



56 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



CEREUS SPECIOSISSIMUS. 
Class, Icosandria. Order, Monogynia. 

Opuntiace^;. 
Native of S. America, 1816. - Propagation, seeds 
and cuttings. 

SIR, 

According to your request, I send you my me- 
thod of treating the above plant, which is one of 
the finest specimens I have as yet seen. I have 
treated it as under for three years, and the plant 
has produced about one hundred blooms each year 
during that time. As soon as the flowering season 
in over, I repot and place the plant against a south 
wall, where it remains until September. Whilst in 
this situation I water it with dung water, and when 
removed into the greenhouse, I withhold water 
until the beginning of March, when I give a good 
watering. At this season of the year several young 
shoots begin to put forth : these I remove from the 
main stem as they appear ; this throws strength into 
the remaining shoots, and causes the flower to be 
fine. I train in six shoots, and keep to that num- 
ber, taking care at all times to keep them free from 
laterals, and lastly to retain the old stems. 

Soil. — Maiden loam, well decomposed dung, 
peat, and rough sand, to which add a portion of 
lime craps. 

Drainage. — I cover the bottom of the pots 
about two inches thick with lime craps* 



CRIXUM ERUBESCEXS, A3IERICAXOI, AND 
LONGIFLOfiUM. 

Class, Hexamf.ia. Order, Monogtnia. 

Amaryixide-z. 

Erubescens, native of W. Indies. 17S9 : Ameri- 
canum, of S. America. 17; -2 : Longirlorura. of Cape 
of Good Hope. 1S16. — Propagation, division. 

As soon as the plants have ceased flowering, such 
as you are desirous of increasing turn out of the 
pots, and remove the suckers. Be careful of the 
roots of the parent plant. Put the suckers in Xo. 
16 size pots, in two parts loam and one part dung; 
then place them in the flower-house. Let them 
remain in this pot until they fill it with roots, which 
will be by October, if the suckers be strong. Shift 
into Xo. 8, and when the pot is full of roots, which 
will be in the spring., then give one more shifting 
into Xo. 6, and place them in the open air until 
October, when remove into the flower-house : with 
the above treatment they will flower in April. 
Should you want the plant to flower in the autumn, 
keep it in the flower-house all the summer. The 
old established plant, if placed in the open air 
during the summer months, will blossom in April, 
if taken into the flower-house in October. Give 
abundance of water to them whilst they are in 
heat. 



58 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



CYCLAMEN COUM, PERSICUM. 
Class, Pentandria. Order, Monogynia. 

Primulaceje. 
Corem, native of S. of Europe, 1596 ; Persicum, 
of Cyprus, 1731. — Propagation, seeds and di- 
vision. 

These charming genera deserve a little care. 
They require to be dormant for a short time. 
Early in June, remove them from the conservatory 
to the north side of a wall or hedge ; lay the pots 
on their sides, and let them remain in this state 
until October. At this time turn them out of their 
pots, shake the soil partly from their roots, and 
repot them in the following soil : — two parts loam, 
one part leaf, one bog, with a little sand ; then place 
them in the greenhouse, near to the glass, and 
where they will have a free circulation of air. 
Remove them into the conservatory as they come 
into flower, where they are to remain until they 
have made a good foliage ; then remove as directed 
above. 

They grow much finer in a cold frame, and the 
pots plunged in ashes. Draw off the lights every 
day to give them air, except in heavy rains and 
cutting winds. Let them have air during the 
nights if there be no frost. For protection in se- 
vere frosts, cover up the frame with mats and 
straw. Never water but when they are dry, as 
they are very liable to perish when kept too moist. 



APRIL. 



59 



CYPRIPEDIUM CALCEOLUS. 
Class, Gynandria. Order, Diandria. 

Orchibe^:. 

Native of England. — Propagation, division of 
roots. 

SIR, 

The treatment of the above plants, as practised 
by me, is as follows : — in the autumn I collect a 
little light yellow loam from under a quick thorn 
hedge, with the decayed and half decayed leaves 
of the hedge. In this I pot my plants, taking care 
to drain the pots well. I cover the crown of the 
plant about one inch, leaving the soil highest in 
the centre of the pot, to throw off the damp. I 
then plunge it up to the rim in a sheltered situa- 
tion, free from drip, occasionally covering with a 
little tan, and a large flower- pot to protect it from 
heavy rains or very severe frosts : with this pro- 
tection I have kept them during this severe winter. 
They are now in a healthy state. In the spring I 
introduce them into the vinery ; in about three 
weeks they flower. I then inure them by degrees 
to the open air, where they remain until the blooms 
are decayed. I then return them to their old quar- 
ters and proceed as before, as the season comes on, 

I am, Sir, &c., 

W. Burnet, 

York, March 11th. 



60 GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



EDWARD SI A GRANDIFLORA. 
Class, Decandria. Order, Monogynia. 

LiEGUMINOSEiE. 

Native of New Zealand, 1772. — Propagation, 
seeds and cuttings. 

This shrub is remarkable for its fine foliage and 
curious flowers. It grows and blossoms well in 
two parts loam, one part leaf mould, with a little 
sand. Pot in May. 



DIANTHUS. THE PINK. 

Class, Decandria. Order, Digynia. 

Caryoph ylle^e . 
Native of England. — Propagation, layers and 
pipings. 

Put in a number of pipings early in February, 
place them in a gentle heat. When struck root, 
plant them out in an open place in the kitchen 
garden ; take them up in August, pot them in rich 
soil in No. 32 pots ; give them a good watering, and 
plunge the pots up to the rim. Remove a few in 
January into the flower-house, and place them on 
a shelf near the glass, but reserve the greater part 
until February, and some until March ; you will 
thus have a succession for some time. 



APRIL. 



61 



EPIPHYLLUM JENKINSONII, SPECIOSUM. 

Class, Icosandria. Order, Monogynia. 

Opuntiac eje, 

Jenkinson, hybrid. 1810 ; Speciosum, native of 
Brazil. — Propagation, seeds and cuttings. 

This singular and beautiful genus cannot be too 
much cultivated. Its flowers are so attractive that 
they may be reckoned amongst the most showy of 
Flora's beauties. They are hardy enough for the 
greenhouse, but attain to their greatest perfection 
when bloomed in the flower-house. In this case, 
the plants that are most forward should be removed 
from the greenhouse to the flower-house early in 
February, and for succession, others should be 
removed in March, April and May. When they 
have done blooming, repot them, and replace them 
in the flower-house until June, when put them on 
tiles or slates close to a south wall. Some of the 
plants will show for blossom in the autumn ; these 
place in the flower-house to perfect their bloom ; 
when done flowering, replace them in the green- 
house. In October, remove all the plants from 
under the south wall into the greenhouse, where 
they are to remain during the winter. In February, 
proceed as above. 

Engrafting any of the epiphyllums on the cereus 
speciosissimus is easily performed, by taking a 



62 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



part of the variety you wish to engraft, and paring 
it into a wedge shape ; then make an incision in 
the stock in proportion to the size of the scion, 
then insert the scion, and put a pin through both 
to prevent the scion from being displaced. You 
may engraft as many varieties upon it as you please. 
They present a pleasing sight with two, three, or 
four varieties being in flower at the same time. 

The speciosissima is decidedly the best for en- 
grafting upon. They require water in abundance 
when placed in heat, and during the summer 
months, but not any whilst in the greenhouse. 
Dung-water once a week is very beneficial to them. 

Soil. — Two parts strong loam, one part dung, 
one rough sand and one peat. 

Keep them to a certain number of stems, re- 
moving all lateral shoots as they appear. 



GASTROLOBIUM BILOBUM. 
Class, Decandria. Order, Monogynia. 

Leguminoseje. 
Native of New Holland, 1803. — Propagation, 
cuttings. 

A beautiful little plant, requiring to be kept in 
the most airy part of the greenhouse, near to the 
glass. It grows well in peat and loam. 



APRIL. 



63 



GOMPHOLOBIUM GRANDIFLORUM. 
Class, Decandria. Order, Monogynia. 

Leguminose^:. 
Native of N. S. Wales. — Propagation, seeds and 
cuttings. 

A fine plant, deserving a place in every green- 
house for the beauty of its flowers, and the length 
of time it remains in blossom. It thrives in peat, 
with a little white sand. It should be kept in the 
greenhouse throughout the year, and near the glass. 
Being a straggling grower, occasionally pinch off the 
leading buds, which will make it grow more compact. 

HELIOTROPIUM PERUVIANUM. 
Class, Pentandria. Order, Monogynia. 

BoRAGINEjE. 

Native of Peru. — Propagation, cuttings. 

This deliciously scented flower is well worthy a 
place in every collection of plants. Strike cuttings 
early in the spring, pot them into No. 90, place 
them in a gentle heat until well rooted ; inure 
them gradually to the open air. In the latter part 
of May, shift them into No. 48, keeping them in 
the open air, and continue to shift them as they 
fill the pots with roots until they are in No. 24, in 
which size pots let them remain for flowering. 
They will blossom most of the autumn months, 
and will begin again to bloom this month. They 
will be of service for turning out into the flower- 
garden in June. 



64 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



HYDRANGEA HORTEXSIS. 
Class, Decandria. Order, Monogynia. 

Saxifrages, 

Native of China, introduced by Sir Joseph Banks. 
17SS. — Propagation, cuttings. 

Mr, Hedges, who has succeeded in growing this 
plant to a remarkable degree of perfection, gives 
the following directions for its cultivation : — As 
a succession of young plants is necessary, I raise 
some each year, by taking, in the beginning of July, 
young shoots with three or four joints, cutting them 
off close to the joint, which is at the bottom of 
the shoot. These I plant in rich earth in a warm 
border, and cover with a hand-glass. They are 
shaded during the middle of the day, and sprinkled 
with water from a fine-rosed watering pot two or 
three times a week, in the evening, so as to keep them 
moist, the glass being kept over them at all times, 
They will also grow by layers made in July, in the 
r way as carnations. The cuttings, or layers, 
will be well rooted by the end of August, at which 
time, or early in September, they must be put singly 
into small pots, and placed under a frame, which 
at first must be shut up close. If they can be as- 
sisted by a moderate dung heat at this time, it will 
be better for them. In the frame they must be 
shaded and watered as before. About the middle 
or end of October they are to be taken into the 
greenhouse, or under other shelter, where they 



APRIL. 



65 



can be protected from wet and frost. During the 
winter they must be watered once a week, or fort- 
night, as they may require. In the latter end of 
May, or early in June following, they should be 
turned out into a bed of rich mould in the open 
ground, to remain there until September, when 
they are to be taken up and potted, and kept 
from cold and wet during the winter. Instead 
of turning them out, as in the preceding spring, 
they must remain in the pots ; but they must 
be shifted twice during the summer. By either 
of these methods, fine strong plants will be 
formed for forcing or turning out the ensuing 
spring. 

Care must be taken to supply them plentifully 
with water whilst they are coming into bloom, and 
it is best to place water-pans under them, to secure 
a continual supply of moisture, when intended to 
have them brought forward with forcing heat. 

The mould I generally give to my hydrangeas is 
a compost of loam and bog earth, or leaf mould, 
with a little sand, well incorporated together. In 
this they will produce red flowers. If it is de- 
sired to have the blossoms blue, they should be 
planted in pure yellow loam. When the plants 
are repotted, remove part of the old soil, and re- 
pot in pots proportionate to the size of the 
plants. This should be done in January, and if 



66 GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



the plants are then placed in heat, they will flower 
this month. 



JASMINUM SAMBAC, GRAXDIFLORUM. 
Class, Diandria. Order, Monogynia. 

Jasmines. 

Sambac, native of the E. Indies, 1665 ; Grandi- 
florum, of E. Indies. 1627. — Propagation, cuttings. 

These varieties of the jasmine grow in loam, 
decayed wood, and bog soil, with about one sixth 
cally sand. They flower nearly every month in 
the year, if kept in the greenhouse, and placed in 
heat in succession. They must be in the flower- 
house from December to March ; at other times 
they will do in the greenhouse. By placing them 
in the flower-house, the young flower shoots are 
caused to put out, and it is necessary for their pre- 
servation during winter. This is the season of the 
year in which they are mostly in blossom. 



LOBELIA ERIXUS, BICOLOR, 

AND SEVERAL OTHERS OF SIMILAR HABITS. 

Class, Pentandria. Order, Moxogynia. 

LoBELIACEiE. 

Native of Cape of Good Hope. — Propagation, 

cuttings. 

These mav be treated the same as the heliotro- 



APRIL. 



6? 



pum, with this exception, — train several of them 
upon wires, or small sticks, which will give them a 
fine effect, allowing others to hang pendent on the 
sides of the pots. They will flower all the year, 
and be of the utmost service to turn out into the 
flower borders. 



PRIMULA AURICULA. 
Class, Pentandria. Order, Monogynia. 

Primulace^:. 
Native of Switzerland. — Propagation, seeds, di- 
vision. 

The proper time for potting this little favourite 
is early in August. It thrives well in two parts 
yellow loam and one part cow-dung : which should 
have been one year in the compost yard before being 
mixed, and when mixed, the compost should remain 
another year before it is used, during which period 
it should be turned over several times. Have your 
pots well drained; use No. 48. Take the best suckers, 
and pot them in the above soil ; give them a good 
watering, and place them in a single or double light 
box, according to the number of plants, plunging 
them in ashes within about six inches from the glass. 
Shut up close for about a week, and shade from 
the sun, then give air gradually. When you have 
got them sufficiently hardy, draw off the lights 
early in the morning, and after the sun has left the 
frame. You may harden them to the sun by de- 

f 2 



68 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



grees, but always put on the lights in the evening, 
tilting them both at the front and back, in order to 
give a circulation of air. Let them be protected 
from heavy rains. Give water when they appear 
dry ; but do not over water them. This treatment 
will suffice until frost comes very severe. When 
that is the case, put down the lights, but never 
cover up the glass, for if they are deprived of fresh 
air and light, they will be drawn up weakly. Some 
few will show flower in the autumnal and winter 
months ; remove the buds as they appear until 
January, during which month that beautiful mealy 
appearance will begin to show itself. Therefore, 
when you water, from this time until the blooming 
season is over, do it without the rose on the water- 
ing pot. Be sure to remove decayed leaves as they 
appear. Give all the air you can in the winter and 
spring months, otherwise you will ruin the plants, 
by drawing them up weakly. As soon as the flower- 
ing season is over, give a good watering ; take the 
lights entirely off as soon as the foliage indicates 
decay. Lay the pots on their sides under a north 
hedge until August. 

If the above treatment is strictly followed, a 
most splendid show of bloom will be the result. 



APRIL. 



69 



RHODANTHE MANGLESIL 

COMPOSITE. 

Native of Swan River.— Propagation, seeds. 

SIR, 

In answer to yours, I send you the treatment of 
the above plant as pursued by me. In the second 
week in August I sowed the seed, and placed the 
seed-pan on a north border. As soon as the plants 
were sufficiently strong, I potted them into small 
pots, and set them in the same place, where they 
remained until the proper season for housing green- 
house plants, at which time they were put in an 
airy part of the greenhouse, and shifted as they 
filled their pots with roots. The soil I used w T as 
three parts light loam, one part peat I water the 
plants sparingly during the winter months, as I 
find them subject to the mildew. I water once a 
fortnight with draining from the farm-yard : to 
this I attribute the excellency of the plant. 

Yours, &C, 

White Waltham, J. SILVER. 

20th April, 1841. 

For this unique specimen, which was pronounced 
by an excellent judge to be the best plant in the 
room, the Banksian Medal was awarded at the 
Horticultural Society Meeting, 6th April, 1841. 

For succession blooming plants, it is only requi- 



70 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



site to sow the seeds early in April, place the seed- 
pan on the north border, and protect it from heavy 
rains and frosty nights. The rhodanthe is one of 
the best annuals. 



YUCCA SUPERBA, AND ITS ALLIES, 
Class, Hexandria. Order, Monogynia. 

TlJLIPACEiE. 

Native of America, 1590. — Propagation, cuttings 
of the roots. 

Noble plants, well adapted for a conservatory* 
They thrive well in strong rich soil with plenty of 
pot room, and an abundance of water during the 
summer months, when in vigorous growth, but 
little during the winter. 



MAY. 

GREENHOUSE. 

As frost, in most instances, will in this month 
be slight, give over fires for the season, except to 
dry up the damp. 

Air, — give as much as you can during the day ; 
leave a little on mild evenings. 

Water will be in much demand, give a good 
supply to those plants which are of quick growth. 

Syringe every fine morning. 

Towards the latter end of the month, should the 



MAY. 



71 



weather be mild, remove the most hardy kinds of 
plants into the open air, 

CONSERVATORY. 
Heat. — Give up fires. 

Air. — Admit freely, as recommended for the 
greenhouse. 

Water. — Give a good supply when requisite. 

Remove any decayed leaves, dead shoots, or 
plants as they have done flowering. Tie up such 
trailing plants as require it. 

FLOWER-HOUSE. 
Heat. — As last month. 
Air. — Admit freely. 

Syringe as last month, pour water on the flues, 
attend to watering, give a good supply to plants re- 
quiring it. 

LIST OF PLANTS COMING INTO FLOWER, 

Boronia serrulata. Mimulus. 

Calceolaria. Pelargonium. 

Canarina campanula. Petunia. 

Chorizema. Philibertia grandiflora. 

Erica. Rondeletia. 

iEschynanthus grandi- Sprengelia incarnata. 

florus. Tropseolum tricolor. 

Fuchsia. Verbena. 

Gardoquia multiflora. Vinca rosea. 
Jasminum. 



72 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



BORONIA SERRULATA. 
Class, Octandria. Order, Monogynia. 
Rutace^;. 

Native of New South Wales. — Propagation, cut- 
tings. 

This little beauty grows well in two parts peat 
and one part loam, with about one sixth cally sand, 



CALCEOLARIA. 
Class, Diandria. Order, Monogynia. 

ScROPHTJLARINjE. 

First variety introduced from Peru, 1773. — Pro- 
pagation, seeds, division, cuttings. 

A very fashionable genus, and well deserving its 
popularity. It is of easy cultivation, yet to have it 
in great perfection requires a little care. Cuttings 
struck in the summer and kept in No. 48 sized 
pots during winter. In February they should be 
shifted into the next size pots ; and shifted again 
in April. 

Soil. — equal parts pigeons' dung, brown loam, 
bone dust, bog and rough sand. 

Water with dung water once a week when 
they have filled the pots with roots. Often 
sprinkle them over head with clear water, aud give 
it freely to the roots when in a full growing state. 

For succession bloom it will be only necessary to 
shift from small pots to larger ones every month 
during the summer season* 



MAY. 



73 



The bicolor is a fine variety for December bloom : 
it requires to be shifted into large pots in August, 
and it will blossom from October until the beginning 
of January. 

CANARINA CAMPANULA. 
Class, Hexaxdria. Order, Moxogyxia. 

CaMPAXULACEjE. 

Native of the Canaries, 1696. — Propagation, 
division. 

This beautiful stove plant is of easy culture. It 
requires to be dormant nearly six months in the 
year. In January, shake out the plant, and repot 
in the following compost: loam, leaf mould, with 
a little rough sand. Place it on the tan, or over 
a flue ; give plenty of water when growing freely. 
When in bloom remove it into the conservatory, 
where it may remain until the foliage decays ; then 
withhold water, and place it on a back shelf in the 
flower-house, until you wish to bring it forward 
again. 

CHORIZEMA. 
Class, Decaxdria. Order, Moxogyxia, 

IiEGUMIXOSiE. 

Native of New Holland, first introduced, 1803. 
— Propagation, seeds, cuttings. 

This elegant genus of plants thrives well in bog, 



74 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



peat, and old wood, with about one-sixth cally sand. 
Place them near to the glass. Attend to the water- 
ing. Do not sodden the soil, nor allow them to flag. 



ERICA. 

Class, Octandria. Order, Monogynia. 

Erice>e. 

Natives chiefly of Cape of Good Hope, 1773.— 
Propagation, seeds and cuttings. 

This interesting genus claims our admiration for 
its singular and various forms and colours, and 
more particularly because by a judicious selection 
we may have flowers for every month in the year. 
The heath requires a house to itself, to grow it to 
any degree of perfection : it ought always to be kept 
as cold as possible whilst in the house. Fire heat 
should not be used at any time, excepting on very 
severe frosty nights. 

The soil in which heaths grow is peat soil, 
taken from the surface of the ground, and mixed 
with about one fourth of cally sand. No regular 
period can be assigned for shifting, but I prefer it 
when the flowering season is over. 

Whilst under glass, keep the plants as near to it 
as possible. 

Water. — This element must be supplied by 
a judicious hand ; if once the ball is suffered to 
become dried through, I know not of any means by 



MAY. 



7.5 



which it can be recovered again ; it is certain death 
to it, and that almost instantly ; and, on the other 
hand, should the ball of earth be soddened and 
kept in that state, a lingering death will be the 
consequence. 

When they are removed into the open air, pro- 
tect them from heavy rains and the hot sun, as 
both these are very injurious ; indeed it is prefer- 
able to keep them in the house on this account. 

The heathery ought to be constructed so as to 
have a thorough current of air to pass through it, 
and it should be provided with a temporary shade 
to be used on hot days. 

I would recommend to every one who wishes to 
excel in the cultivation of this genus of plants, to 
consult the Treatise on the Culture and Propaga- 
tion of Erica, by Mr. M'Nab, of the Edinburgh 
Botanic Garden, a gentleman who stands pre-emi- 
nently distinguished for the cultivation of the erica. 

The following is a list of ericae obtained from Mr. 
W. L. Rider, in the transmitting of which he ob- 
serves that they are classed in a manner peculiarly 
adapted to the character of my publication, and 
that the season of flowering them varies very con- 
siderably, depending much upon the manner of treat- 
ing them. They are arranged in monthly order, 



7^ 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY 



JANUARY. 

Sanguine a, 
Archeriana. 
Mutabilis. 
Purpurea. 



Lmnaeoides. 
Hymalis. 
Vernis. 
Calycina. 

MARCH. 

Bland fordiana. 
Nigrita. 
Ardens. 
Arbuseula. 

APRIL. 

Colorans. 
Andromeda? flora. 
Aristata major. 
Mundula- 

MAY. 

Gemmifera. 

Bandonise. 

Elegans. 

JUNE. 

Depressa. 

Gemmifera. 

Ventricosa. 



Mammosa, 
Grandinosa. 
Acuminata. 
Lon^iflora. 

Capita ta. 
Banks: a. 
TeneUa. 
Pyramidalis. 

Patersoni. 
Linnceana. 
Carinata. 

Xigrita. 
Eximia.. 
Mirabilis. 

Epistornia. 

Odorata. 

Perspicua. 

Vestita.. 

Sulpburea. 

Praegnans. 



MAY. 



JULY, 



Tricolor. 

Ampullacea major. 
Grandiflora. 



Retorta. 

Metulaeflora. 

Splendens. 



AUGUST. 

Infundibuliformis. Irbyana. 

Savillii. Cruerita. 

Princeps. Juliana. 

SEPTEMBER. 

Cerinthoides major. Speciosa. 



Masseni. 
Blanda. 

Aitoniana. 

Formosa. 

Versicolor. 

Lambertia. 

Rupestre. 

Exsurgens. 



OCTOBER. 



NOVEMBER. 



DECEMBER. 



Exsurgens coccinea. 

Bowieana. 

Coccinea. 



Ewerana. 
Bergiana. 

Serratifolia. 
Verticellata. 
Taxifolia. 

Virescens. 

Palustris. 

Concinna. 

Mutabilis. 

Filamentosa. 

Ramentacea. 



78 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



FUCHSIA, VARIETIES. 

Class, Octandria. Order, Monogynia. 

Onagrarle. 

Native of South America, first introduced 1788. 
— Propagation, seeds, cuttings, grafting. 

Cuttings struck in January, potted into No. 70, 
and shifted during the summer months at different 
times until they are in No. 16,, will flower the 
spring following, and will make a fine show this 
month. 

Compost for the fuchsia in all stages, two parts 
yellow loam, one part dung, with a little rough 
sand. 

The fuchsia fulgens is a noble addition to this 
genus : it requires a little different treatment from 
the rest of the varieties. Its root being similar to 
that of the dahlia, it is increased in the same way. 
In January cut the plant down to the ground, place 
it in rather a brisk heat, numerous young shoots will 
shortly appear ; split them off: if you wish for a 
ready striking of them, place them in a gentle 
dung heat, or in a propagating house. Pot off in 
No. 60 ; follow up a succession of shifting until you 
have them in No. 12, in which size they will do 
this season. If you wish to have a stemmed 
plant, train one or more upright, cutting away all 
lateral shoots. Preserve it during the winter, and 
the following season you will have a beautiful 
head. This variety is proved to be perfectly hardy,. 



MAY. 



79 



therefore you can turn a number of them into the 
flower-garden. 

In extensive conservatories, several of the strong 
growing varieties produce a fine effect, if pruned so 
as to grow as straight stems to the height of seven 
or eight feet, and then at the top spread out in the 
form of an umbrella, or any other fanciful shape, 
according to your taste. Although this is a tedious 
method of training, it will repay the trouble, when 
time will allow for adopting it. Most of the va- 
rieties will grow and flower well in the autumnal 
months under a more simple treatment : having 
strong plants in March, shake the old soil from 
their roots, pot them in large pots, place them in a 
cold frame, or in the greenhouse. Give them plenty 
of air. Early in June remove them into the open 
air, they will flower in succession. When done 
blooming, and the frost begins to set in for winter, 
put them into a room or shed, or any other place 
protected from severe frost : in this situation let 
them remain until March, then proceed as before. 



GARDOQUIA MULTIFLORA. 

L ABIAT7E. 

Native of China. — Propagation, cuttings. 

SIR, 

According to your request, I send you my 
method of growing the gardoquia multiflora. In 



80 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



the autumn I received a plant and kept it in the 
greenhouse until February, when I commenced 
shifting, and continued to do so, as it filled its pot 
with roots, until it was in No. 12. In May, it be- 
gan flowering, and continued to bloom in abund- 
ance until June ; I then turned it out into a flower 
border in the open air ; by this time it had made 
a very fine bushy plant, and was covered with 
blossom. 

I prefer striking cuttings early in the summer, to 
retaining the old plant during the winter months. 
Soil. — Loam and peat, equal parts. 

W. HARRISON. 



GARDOQUIA HOOKERII. 
Labiate. 
Propagation, cuttings. 

This is by far the finest variety of this genus ; its 
lovely scarlet flowers have a beautiful effect. It is 
also a greenhouse plant : it requires to be kept as 
near the glass as possible, and to be sparingly sup- 
plied w T ith water, giving it only when the plant is 
dry. It should be kept in the greenhouse all the 
year. By attending to this treatment you will en- 
sure a fine healthy specimen ; a free circulation of 
air, however, should be kept round the plant. 



MAY. 



g] 



JASMINUM GLAUCUM. 
Class, Diandria. Order, Moxogynia. 

Jasmines. 

Native of Cape of Good Hope, 1774. — Propaga- 
tion, cuttings. 

A very fragrant plant, blooming in abundance 
during this and the next month, when treated as 
follows. Cuttings should be struck early in the 
spring, potted into No. 60, and placed in a gentle 
bottom heat until rooted ; then they should be 
removed into the greenhouse and shifted into 
the next sized pots, as they fill their pots with 
roots, during the summer. In November, gra- 
dually diminish the supply of water, and keep them 
in as dormant a state as possible until the follow- 
ing March, at which time shift them into pots as 
large again as those they are in, but previous to 
this operation let the ball be well watered, that it 
may not be hard and dry. Let the plant remain 
in this pot all the season. In November, proceed 
as recommended for young plants; in March fol- 
lowing, reduce the ball to half its size, and repot in 
the same sized pots as before. 

The plants will require to be kept tied to trellises 
or stakes, and to be pruned every spring, by 
shortening the long shoots and cutting those which 
are weaker to one eye. 

Soil. — Bog, peat, and loam, equal parts, with a 
little rough sand. 

G 



82 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY, 



MIMULUS. 

Class, Didynamia. Order, Angiospermia. 

ScROPHULARINjE. 

Native of North America, first introduced 1788, 
— Propagation, seeds, division. 

Although this is a perfectly hardy plant, yet to 
grow it to great perfection requires a rich soil 
and a large pot. To have it in bloom this month, 
pot the young plants in February ; three plants in 
one pot, using No. 16. Give plenty of water, and 
place them in the greenhouse near the glass. For 
succession of bloom, pot every month until July. 



PELARGONIUM. 
Class, Monadelphia. Order, Heptandria. 

GeRANIACEtE. 

Chiefly from Cape of Good Hope, 1690.— Propa- 
gation, seeds, cuttings. 

This is a charming genus : it is fast approaching to 
perfection, but still there is much room for improve- 
ment in its cultivation. A good flower must pos- 
sess three distinct properties : first, the blossom 
ought to be circular, that is, if you place one leg of 
a compass in the eye of the flower, the other leg 
ought to touch the outer edge of the petals all 
round ; secondly, the colours must be clear and 
distinctly marked ; thirdly, the truss must be bold 



MAY. 



83 



and supported by a strong flower-stalk. Dennis's 
Perfection, and Guiness's King possess the last pro- 
perties. 

The flowering of this genus is in most instances 
confined to the month of May, but I cannot see 
why it is necessary that the display of its beauties 
should be limited to the spring. I am well aware 
that they will bloom in as great perfection at other 
periods, for I have at this time (the 20th October) 
a plant which is not more than fifteen inches high, 
with five stems which have 150 flowers, and other 
buds ready to expand. 

The following treatment I recommend for plants 
to blossom in May : — 

Let the cuttings be struck early in February, 
and potted as soon as rooted in No. 60 pots ; then 
place them where they will receive a gentle bottom 
heat until they are fast rooted. As soon as they 
are established in their pots, remove them into the 
greenhouse ; keep them constantly shifted as they 
fill their pots with roots, until they are in No. 16 
pots, in which let them remain until February, then 
shift them into No. 12, in which size flower them. 
As soon as the flower-buds are visible, commence 
watering with dung w T ater once a week until the 
flowering season is over. 

Soil. — Equal parts of strong brown loam and 
well decomposed horse-droppings, with one-sixth 
of rough sand. 

g 2 



84 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY, 



Pruning is necessary : the head must be pinched 
out at the time of potting the cuttings, if there be 
rive leaves left on the plant ; if not that number, 
allow it to grow until there are five : the reason 
for leaving five leaves is to secure that number of 
shoots ; these shoots must be left to grow until 
August following, when they must be cut back, 
leaving two strong buds on each shoot, and removing 
all laterals as they appear : this being attended to, 
the plants bloom much stronger. 

Water, — This element must be given to them 
with caution until they are established in their 
pots ; but when in a fine growing state they re- 
quire an abundance of water. 

Air. — Each plant ought to have a free circula- 
tion round it, and to be placed near the glass. 
When the plants have done blooming, turn them 
out into the open air ; they will blossom again in 
the autumn. If you wish to preserve any of the 
old plants for flowering the following May, return 
such into their pots in August, prime them back, 
and as soon as they have made shoots about one 
inch long, turn the plants out of the pots, shake 
all the soil from the roots, and repot them in pots 
proportionable to the size of the plants. 

For autumnal blooming, strike cuttings during 
the summer months, and pot the plants into Xo. 
60 ; shift them into Xo. 48, in which pots let them 
remain until February, when shift them into Xo. 



MAY. 



85 



32, and as they fill their pots with roots, until they 
are in No. 16. 

Pruning. — This is performed at the potting off 
of the plants, and again in March, April, and May : 
these last plants supply bloom from July to De- 
cember. 



PETUNIA. 

Class, Pentandria. Order, Monogynia. 

SoLANEiE. 

The first plant of this genus was from South 
America, 1823. — Propagation, seeds, cuttings. 

This genus is well worth attention, and will 
succeed well under the following process. Strike 
cuttings in June ; pot in No. 60 ; shift when the 
pot is full of roots into No. 8. Train to a fan, or 
over a circle, or any other form taste or fancy may 
choose ; by this time the plant will be covered 
with blossom : shift others into No. 8 pots in the 
spring for a succession. 



PHILIBERTIA GRANDIFLORA. 
Class, Pentandria. Order, Digynia. 

AsCLEPIADEjE. 

Native of Buenos Ayres. — Propagation, cuttings. 

This plant is deserving a place in every collec- 
tion for the singularity of its flowers, which it pro- 
duces in abundance. 

IStrike cuttings early in the spring, and put them 



86 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



into No. 60. Shift once during the summer into 
No. 48 ; early in February repot the plant into 
No. 12, and place sticks or wires to train the 
young shoots to as they advance ; and in the fol- 
lowing year you will have an abundance of bloom 
if the plant be kept clear from the green-fly, it 
being very liable to be injured by that pest. 

Soil. — One part loam, one decayed wood, one 
peat bog, with about one sixth of cally sand, 



RONDELETIA SPECIOSA. 

Rubiaceje. 

Native of Cuba. — Propagation, cuttings. 

This is a fine shrub, growing from four to five 
feet high, and producing its flowers in most seasons 
of the year. I received a plant early in the year, 
potted it in No. 32 size pot, in the following soil : 
loam, decayed wood, and peat, with about one 
sixth part cally sand. I kept it in the stove until 
May, when I removed it into the conservatory, 
where it remained until September, at which 
time I removed it into heat. The flowers are 
slightly odorous, but in their own country they 
emit a powerful fragrance. The colour of the 
bloom is rosy red, with an orange coloured eye ; 
they are about half an inch across, and put forth 
in panicles. 



MAY. 



SPRENGEUA IXCARNATA. 
Class, Pentandria. Order. Moxogynia. 

Epacride.e. 

Native of New South Wales, 1793.— Propaga- 
tion, cuttings, division. 

This little beauty grows well in bog and old 
wood of equal parts, with about one sixth of cally 
sand. Repot in February, just at the time it be- 
gins to grow. As soon as the foliage is decayed, 
which will be in September, withhold water ; give 
it three months rest. In January give a moderate 
supply of water, which will cause it to vegetate, 
then place it as near the glass as possible, and re- 
pot as before. 



TROP^OLUM TRICOLOR. 
Class. Octandria. Order, Moxogyxia. 

Trop^eole.e. 
Native of Valparaiso, 1828. — Propagation, cut- 
tings, seeds. 

This being a bulbous plant, requires a season of 
rest. The proper time for affording it is when 
the foliage indicates decay, which will be in Octo- 
ber or November. As soon as the leaves have a 
yellow cast, then withhold water gradually until 
they are dead. Then remove the decayed shoots 
and place the pot on a shelf : let it remain until 
March following, then take and shake all the soil 
from the bulb, and repot it into No. -18 if it be 



88 GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 

i 

a fine strong bulb ; then place it in a gentle heat : 
as soon as it has pushed, remove it into the green- 
house., placing it near the glass. 

The roots of this plant are very delicate, there- 
fore be cautious of water until it is in a vigorous 
growing state. As soon as it has rilled its pot with 
roots, shift into No. 24, and lastly into No. 16, 
In planting the bulb you must cover it over, other- 
wise it will spindle up weak and not flower. 

When there are plenty of bulbs, it is advisable to 
plant them this way every alternate year; those 
which are planted beneath the soil, by growing and 
blooming profusely, are greatly weakened ; and on 
the other hand, when not buried in the soil, they 
make weak shoots, but form strong blooming bulbs 
for the succeeding year. 

Soil. — Two parts yellow loam, one part peat, 
one white sand. Take care to drain the pot well. 



VERBENA. 

Order, Didynamia. Class, Angiosperma. 

Verbenace^. 
Native of North America, &c. — Propagation, 
seeds, cuttings. 

This is a charming flowering trailing plant, 
growing well in light rich soil. Strike cuttings 
early in May ; • pot off when struck, into No. 60, 
one in a pot ; shift during the summer into No. 
48, in which pots let them remain all the winter. 



MAY. 



89 



Early in February shift into No. 16, and you will 
have a most splendid show this month. 

Cuttings struck in January and potted in No. 90, 
and shifted as they fill the pots, bloom in great 
beauty in October and November. Train some 
upon stakes and wires, as recommended for the 
Lobelia. 



VINCA ROSEA. 
Class, Pentandria. Order, Monogynia. 

Apocyne^:. 

Native of East Indies, 1756. — Propagation, cut- 
tings. 

This is also a charming flowering plant, and 
continues in blossom all the year ; but, as I prefer 
a mass of bloom to a few straggling ones, I treat 
it as follows, in order to effect this in May. In 
January I repot the plant, giving it plenty of pot 
room, using the following compost : two parts loam, 
one part dung, one bog, with a little rough sand. 
Pinch off the flower buds as they appear until the 
latter end of April, when allow the buds to ex- 
pand. If you wish to have a fine blow in No - 
vember, pot again in July, as directed above. 
The plant may remain from May to July in the 
conservatory, which will prepare it for a fresh 
growth. 



90 GL'IDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 

2ESCHYNANTHUS GRANDIFLORUS. 

Native of Khasee. — Propagation, cuttings. 

Like the rest of its allies, this succeeds best in 
sphagnum and turfy peat, and, as a parasitic, grows 
equally well on a piece of decayed wood, with 
sphagnum over its roots. 

It requires a moist stove, but it will grow in a 
greenhouse. It flowers from May to August. 



FABEANA EtfBRICATA. 

Native of New Holland. — Propagation, cuttings, 
A pretty greenhouse shrub : it requires to be 
placed near the glass, where it will receive a free 
circulation of air. 

Soie. — Sandy turfy peat : give the pot good 
drainage. Shift in June, and place it in the green- 
house until July, when remove it into the open air, 
where it can receive the morning sun. Replace it 
in the greenhouse early in September. 



PHCENOCOMA PROLIFERA. 
Class, Syngenesia. Order, Superfxua. 

Composite. 

Native of Cape of Good Hope, 1789. — Propaga- 
tion, cuttings. 

A beautiful plant ; its fine foliage alone must 



MAY, 



91 



recommend it to notice, but it is, moreover, a very 
free blooming plant : the flowers are produced at 
the terminations of the young shoots. 

Soil. — It flourishes in sandy peat, with a good 
proportion of fibre in it. The drainage must be 
complete, otherwise it is liable to perish. Place it 
in the greenhouse, near the glass, where it will 
receive a free circulation of air. Keep it in the 
greenhouse all the year. 

Water.— A moderate supply, but do not allow 
it to flag for want of it. 

It is propagated by cuttings, which strike well, 
if planted in peat and cally sand of equal quanti- 
ties, and placed in a gentle bottom heat, without a 
bell glass. The cuttings must be of the half 
ripened wood, cut close off to the stem, and in- 
serted without removing any of the globular knobs 
or leaves. 



GNAPHALIUM EXIMIUM. 
Class, Syngekesia. Order, Superflua. 

Composite. 

Native of Cape of Good Hope. — Propagation, 
cuttings. 

This noble greenhouse plant is deserving a place 
in every choice collection for its fine showy flowers, 
which it produces from May to August. It will 
not thrive unless placed in a situation where there 
is a free circulation of air. As its leaves are 



92 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



covered with a thick substance resembling down, it 
ought never to be syringed, and no wet should be 
allowed to fall upon the leaves in the winter. It 
also requires the benefit of a dry air : its situation 
in the house should therefore be over the flue. 

Soie. — It succeeds well in leaf soil and peat, with 
a portion of cally sand mixed amongst it. The 
drainage must be good. 

Water. — During winter it must have only just 
sufficient to keep it from flagging, but when in 
a vigorous growing state it will require a good 
supply. 

It strikes freely from cuttings inserted in peat 
soil and cally sand, and placed in a cool frame 
where there is no damp vapour or steam rising. 

PETREA STEPHALIA. 
Class, Didynamia. Order. Axgiospermia. 

Verbenaceje. 
Native of South America, 1796. — Propagation, 
cuttings. 

A climbing plant with lilac flowers, and nearly 
allied to P. volubilis, but a more beautiful species, 
and, when grown well, is a great ornament as a 
stove plant. It strikes freely from cuttings, and, 
as it grows very rapidly, it must be constantly 
shifted. 

Soil. — Equal parts light loam, peat, leaf soil, 
well decomposed dung, and rough sand. It will 



MAY. 



93 



succeed equally well in large pots or planted out in 
a border in the stove. Be sure to give it a free 
drainage, otherwise it will do no good. 

Water. — When the plants are in a free growing 
state give plenty of water, but little when they are 
at rest. 

Heat. — During their dormant state, from 40° to 
60°, with a dry atmosphere : when growing freely, 
from 60° to 100° fire heat. 

P. N. DON. 



K^JVIPFERIA ELEGANS. 
Class, Monandria. Order, Monogynia. 

SciTAMINE.E. 

Native of East Indies, 1828. — Propagation, di- 
vision. 

This is a small but beautiful plant ; the leaves 
are ovate and acuminate, and slightly striped. The 
flowers proceed from the base of the leaf, and rise 
two or three inches ; they are of a bluish purple 
colour, and large in comparison to the size of the 
plant : they are the flower of a day only, but are 
produced in succession for two or three months. 
In the month of February turn the plant out of its 
pot, shake all the soil from its roots, and repot the 
plant in light rich fibrous loam, draining the pot 
well previously. When repotted, place it on the 
bark bed in the stove ; give it but little water until 
it commences growing, then use water more freely 



94 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



until it has perfected its growth, which will be 
about the time the flower appears, then it must 
again be used more sparingly, and when the foliage 
begins to decay, it will require no more water until 
the spring. It may then be placed upon a dry 
shelf in the stove, where it will remain in a healthy 
state until the return of spring, when proceed as 
before directed. 

P. N. DON. 

JONESIA ASOCA. 
Class, Heptandria. Order, Monogynia. 

LeGUMINOSJE. 

Native of East Indies, 1796. — Propagation, 
cuttings. 

A beautiful shrub, bearing orange coloured flowers 
in racemes ; it attains, in our stoves, about the 
height of four feet. It requires to be grown very 
strong, otherwise it does not produce flowers. 
During the winter it should have a heat from 50° 
to 55°, and a dry heat is indispensable to keep it 
in good health, which should be retained from No- 
vember to March, when moisture and heat must be 
gradually increased. By this mode of treatment it 
will flower freely. 

This plant must never be allowed to get pot- 
bound or unhealthy, for if that be the case it will 
never flower. The season of potting is from March 
to May, and good light rich loam will be found the 
best soil in which to grow it in vigour. 



JUNE. 



95 



It will strike freely from cuttings of the half 
ripened wood in a lively bottom heat, in which they 
must be kept until they have attained to about a 
foot in height, at which time place them amongst 
the other plants, and treat them as above. 

P. N. DON. 

ASTROLOMA HUMIFUSUM. 
Class, Pextandria. Order, Monogynia. 

EpACRIDE/E. 

Native of New South Wales, 1801. — Propaga- 
tion, cuttings. 

A beautiful scarlet flowering shrub, worthy the care 
of every collector : it will live well in sandy fibrous 
peat, with a good drainage, and placed near the 
glass. It should be kept in the house all the year. 

JUNE. 

GREENHOUSE. 

The plants which were left in the greenhouse 
last month most now be removed into the open air, 
with the exception of such delicate ones as you 
wish to keep in a fine growing state ; let these be 
set as near the glass as possible, and let them have 
as much air as can be given. 

Be careful to water them as often as wanted, 
and syringe them frequently. 

Let the plants which are removed into the open 
air be pruned, and cut out the sickly and strag- 



96 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



gling shoots. Tie up those which are weak, and 
give a general top dressing to all the plants : first 
remove as much of the upper soil as convenient, 
without disturbing the roots too much ; when done 
give a good watering. Syringe them over the head 
once or twice a week, if the weather be very dry. 
Great care should be paid to give plenty of water 
at this season of the year. Attend to shifting all 
plants as directed under their several heads, or as 
you may see occasion for it. 

CONSERVATORY. 
The plants in flower must be duly attended to 
with respect to water, and the borders must have 
a good supply when dry. Syringe every evening ; 
admit as much air as possible during the day, and 
a little during the night. Keep this department free 
from all dirt, and gently fork the borders to let in 
the air and moisture to the roots of the plants. 
Wash the leaves of oranges, camellias, and all broad 
leaved plants, which greatly refreshes them. Fumi- 
gate the house, if requisite, to destroy the green- 
fly. 

FLOWER-HOUSE. 
If the beginning of this month be mild you may 
give up the fires, and admit air freely early in the 
morning : shut up about three in the afternoon, at 
which time water your plants, and syringe the 
house ; this causes a moist atmosphere during the 
night, which greatly refreshes them. 



JUNE. 



97 



A LIST OP PLANTS IN 

Alstraemeria Pelegrina, 

bicolor, Russeliana. 
Arthropodium cirratum. 
Euphorbia splendens. 
Gesneria, varieties of. 
Gloxinia, varieties of. 
Sinningia, varieties of. 



FLOWER THIS MONTH. 

Gardenia fiorida, flora 

plena, fragrans. 
Hibiscus rosea, with its 

varieties. 
Mesembryanthemum,va- 

rieties of. 
Tropseolum Canariensis. 
Clintonia pulchella. 



ALSTRAEMERIA PELEGRINA, BICOLOR, ETC. 
Class, Hexandria. Order, Monogynia. 

AmARYLLIDEjE. 

Pelegrina, native of Peru, 1753; bicolor, native 
of China. — Propagation, seeds, division. 

These beautifully flowering greenhouse plants 
require a light soil. The following is the soil I have 
found them grow remarkably fine in: two parts bog 
soil, one part yellow loam, one rotten wood, with 
about one-sixth cally sand. Early in November turn 
them out of their pots and plant in No. 48, in which 
pots let them remain until February, when shift into 
No. 32. If they have filled their pots with roots 
by April, shift them into No. 24 or 16, according to 
the growth of the plants. Russeliana is a very 
strong grower, and it is probable it will require a 
larger pot than No. 16, but you must be guided in 
this particular by the strength of your plant. Drain 

H 



98 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



your pots well, always keep them near to the glass, 
and tie up the flower-stems as they advance. 

Water will require your attention during the 
winter months, for if you keep them soddened with 
water they will not flourish : keep them in what is 
termed a growing state, or just so moist, that should 
you take a portion of the soil in your hand, and rub 
it, and it comes clear off without leaving a muddy 
impression, it is sufficiently wet; but when the 
plants increase in strength, give water a little more 
freely. When the flowering season is over, place 
them on a shelf in the greenhouse until November; 
refresh them once or twice with water whilst on the 
shelf. 



ARTHROPODIUM CIRRATUM. 
Class, Hexandria. Order, Monogynia. 

AsPHODELLE. 

Native of New Zealand, 1821. — Propagation, 
division. 

This is a plant of great beauty, and as it requires 
but little attention in its cultivation, should not be 
omitted in any collection. It grows well in light 
loam and leaf soil, equal parts, with a little sand. 
As soon as the plant has done flowering, shake all 
the old soil from the roots, and repot in No. 16, 
in which it will bloom freely. After potting, 
place the plant in a shady situation in the flower- 
house for a short time ; when well rooted remove 



JUNE. 



99 



near to the glass : it must remain throughout the 
year in the flower-house, except during the period 
of blooming. 



EUPHORBIA SPLENDENS. 

Class, Dodecandria, Order, Trigynia. 

EuphorbiacejE. 

Native of the Isle of France, 1826. — Propagation, 
seeds and cuttings. 

This charming stove plant is of easy culture. 
It grows well in any rich light soil, producing its 
flowers in every month of the year, if kept in the 
flower-house ; but I think a mass of blooms prefer- 
able to a few, although in constant flower. To 
have it in full blossom this month, remove the plant 
in March from the flower-house into the green- 
house for about three weeks, then replace it in the 
flower-house, and a vigorous growth will imme- 
diately take place : this prepares it for a numerous 
show of flowers. When in blossom, remove it into 
the conservatory; let it remain there about two 
months, and a similar effort will be made to the 
former when again placed in heat : with this treat- 
ment you keep a fine bushy plant. 



h 2 



100 GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



GARDENIA FLORIDA, FLORA PLENA, 
FRAGRANS. 
Class, Pentandria. Order, Monogynia. 

RuBIACEiEr 

Native of China and East Indies. — Propagation^ 
cuttings. 

Mr. Smithes who succeeds in the cultivation of 
this fragrant plant much better than I have seen 
elsewhere, gives the following instructions. Early 
in the spring take large cuttings, with a little of the 
old wood attached, plant them in pots half rilled 
with potsherds, the remainder with peat soil andcaliy 
sand mixed, then put the cuttings under a hand or 
bell-glass in the cutting frame, from where there 
is a gentle bottom heat ; when struck root, pot off 
into small pots in the same kind of compost in which 
they were raised, and place them in the plant stove ; 
shift them as they fill their pots with roots during the 
summer. Early in February following shift them 
into No. 24, in which pots they are to bloom. 
When they have ceased flowering, shift again 
into No. 16, and the following season into No. 12, 
and so on until they are too large for your house ; 
then throw the old plants away. Never shake the soil 
from the roots, but shift them with the ball entire. 

Give a good supply of water when in a grow- 
ing state, but withhold it in winter, only watering 
them when the mould is dry. 



JUNE, 



101 



Mr. Smithers prefers plants of three years' growth 
to older ones. In the month of June, when I saw 
the plants, they were covered with blossoms. 

Gardenia fragrans requires the same treatment. 



GESNERIA, SINNINGIA, GLOXINIA. 
Class, Didynamia. Order, Angiosperma. 

Gesnerle. 

Native of South America, &c. — Propagation, 
seeds, cuttings, division, leaves. 

These delightful genera all grow and bloom well 
with the same treatment : I have therefore classed 
them together. In January, shake the soil from 
the roots and repot them in the following com- 
post : loam, leaf mould, and dung, with about one- 
sixth part rough sand ; mix all together ; plant in 
pots proportionable to their size ; put them into the 
flower-house ; use water sparingly whilst they are 
beginning to grow, but give a good supply when 
they are in full vigour. As they fill their pots 
with roots, shift into the next size. As they come 
into flower, place them in the warmest situation in 
the conservatory, where they will continue to blossom 
for some time. When done flowering, be cautious 
with water, and allow the stems to die away gra- 
dually. When they are in a dormant state, place 
them on the back shelves of the greenhouse until 
November, then remove them into the flower- 



102 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



house, but withhold water until you repot them, 
then proceed as before. 



HIBISCUS ROSA SINENSIS, VARIETIES OF. 

Class, Monadelphia. Order, Polyaxdria. 
Malvaceje. 

Native of the East Indies, 1731. — Propagation, 
cuttings. 

In April, shake part of the old soil from the 
roots of the plants, and repot them in the fol- 
lowing compost : two parts loam, one part dung, 
one bog, with about one-sixth part rough sand. 
Pot in pots proportionate to the size of the 
plants ; when potted give them a gentle watering, 
and shorten the branches a little, or, if large 
enough, cut to within three inches of the old wood ; 
place them on the tan pit in the flower-house ; 
often refresh them with water over their heads, and 
give it at their roots as required, but do not let the 
soil get soddened. When in flower, remove them 
into the conservatory, and they will continue to 
bloom for two or three months. Remove them 
from the conservatory in September, and place 
them on the back shelves of the flower-house, 
giving them but little water until you wish to bring 
them forward again. This treatment is necessary 
to insure a fine bloom at one time. They may be 



JUNE, 



103 



kept continually in a growing and blooming state, but 
the blossoms will be but few, whereas with the above 
treatment you will have an abundant blossom. 

MESEMBRYANTHEMUM. 
Class, Icosandria. Order, Dipentagynia. 

FlCOIDE^E. 

Native chiefly of the Cape of Good Hope. — 
Propagation, cuttings. 

This is a numerous genus, and, when grown to 
perfection, presents a brilliant appearance : the 
most showy of the varieties are spectabile, How- 
arthia, grandiflora, stellata : these with many others 
are well worth the little attention required on them. 
Strike cuttings early in the spring, pot them off 
when rooted into No. 60, and shift them into No. 
48 ; when they have filled their pots with roots, shift 
again into No. 32, in which pots let them remain 
for flowering. Pot in rich light soil, with a good 
drainage at the bottom of the pots ; keep them in 
the greenhouse until they come into flower, when 
remove them into the conservatory. 

TROP^IOLUM C AN ARIENSIS . 
Class, Octandria. Order, Monogynia. 

TrOP^OLEjE. 

Native of the Canaries. — Propagation, seeds and 
cuttings. 

This beautiful twiner is hardy enough planted 



104 GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



out in June, and will cover an immense space if the 
plants are strong when turned out. It however 
is deserving of a little care for the conservatory. 
Early in March sow the seeds, two in a pot, using 
No. 60, place them in a gentle heat, and when the 
seedling plants are about six inches high, remove 
them into the greenhouse, placing them under a 
hand-glass for a few days, until they will bear the 
greenhouse ; as soon as this is effected, remove them 
from under the glass and pot them in No. 8, in the 
following compost : two parts yellow loam, one 
part dung, with a little rough sand. Train the 
plants to wire globes, ellipses, fans, &c, or to 
stakes about three feet in height, placing the stakes 
round the edge of the pot : in this way they produce 
a fine effect among other plants. 



CLINTONIA PULCHELLA. 
Class, Monadelprta. Order, Pentandria. 

IjOBELIACEiE. 

Native of Columbia. — Propagation, seeds. 

SIR, 

In compliance with your request, I transmit 
you the treatment of the above plant as practised 
by me. — In September, I sow the seeds in equal 
parts of strong loam, dung, and cally or river sand, 
the compost being rather clotty, but not larger than 
a pea, as it allows the water to pass off freely and 



JUNE, 



105 



prevents the plant from damping off, which they 
are very subject to do in winter if any stagnation 
occurs. Having drained my pots well, I fill with 
the above compost,, making a smooth surface on 
which to sow the seed ; I do not cover it, but give 
a gentle watering, and place the pots in a frame, 
which I keep rather close until the seed vegetates, 
or, if in the greenhouse, I lay a piece of glass on 
the top of the pot ; I sprinkle the surface as I see it 
dry until the plants appear, which are only like 
small grass ; they must be thinned out to five or 
six in a pot. By degrees I harden them to the 
open air, where they remain until the appearance of 
frost ; they then are removed to a shelf in the green- 
house near to the glass, the pots being set a short 
distance from each other ; great care is necessary 
not to over water them. As early in the spring as 
practicable, inure them to the open air, placing the 
pots on the south side of a wall, where they will be 
sheltered from the wind and receive the full benefit 
of the sun. They will make but little progress for 
some time, but when they commence growing they 
advance very rapidly, and will require to be shifted 
as they fill their pots with roots, using the same 
soil with less sand. They should be occasionally 
watered with dung water. In this situation they 
remain exposed to all weathers, care being taken to 
tie them to stakes, until they are in bloom. It will 



106 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



be necessary to sow seed in the spring for a succes- 
sion of blooming plants. 

York, W- BURNET. 

ZICHIA GLABRATA, TRICOLOR. 
Natives of Australia. 

Like most of the Australian plants, they require 
to be potted in sandy, turfy peat, to have the pots 
well drained, and to be placed as near the glass as 
practicable, so as to be out of the reach of the frost 
during winter. 

W. MAY, 

Learning Lane, 

Bedale, Yorkshire. 



LECHEXAULTIA FORMOSA. 
Class, Pentandria. Order, Monogynia. 
Goodenovi^:. 
Native of New Holland, 1824. 
The following mode of treatment of this hand- 
some plant, is that adopted by Mr. Falconer, 
gardner to R. Palmer, Esq., of Cheam, Surrey. 
The soil in which it is grown is taken from a heathy 
common, from two to four inches deep; when used, 
it is broken and pulverized with the hand, leaving 
a good proportion of the fibrous matter contained 
in the soil, to which is added one third of silver 
sand. 

It is propagated in the usual manner for heaths, 



JUNE. 



107 



&c, and when rooted is potted in small 60 pots, 
and as it advances in growth, is repeatedly shifted 
into larger sized pots. The lechenaultia delights in 
an airy situation fully exposed to light : the place, 
therefore, in which it should be kept from the latter 
end of September to the middle of March, is on a 
shelf along the back wall of the greenhouse, so high 
that the top of the plant may be within fifteen inches 
of the glass, and in mild weather the lights of the 
house should be let down and the plant freely ex- 
posed. When kept on the stage at a distance from 
the glass among other plants during winter, it in- 
variably assumes a sickly appearance, and the points 
of the young shoots become mouldy and damp off. 
It may be brought to flower from March to August, 
but its season of greatest beauty is from March to 
the latter end of June. As soon as the blossom 
buds appear in the autumn, they are carefully 
picked off and so continued as they put out during 
the winter months until the middle of February, 
after which time they are left to bloom. As the 
flowers are produced at the points of the shoots, by 
depriving them of the flower buds, it induces a 
more abundant supply of blossom-bearing branches, 
and as the season advances will give a rich and 
beautiful display of bloom. Great attention should 
be paid, when a fine specimen is desired, that its 
small and delicate branches should be supported^ 
that a free current of air should pass through them, 



108 GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



otherwise the weight of its numerous blossoms will 
crowd and depress the branches, to the great injury 
of the foliage and general healthy appearance of 
the plant. About the middle of March, as the 
blossoms expand, the rays of the sun will become 
too powerful; it should then be removed from its 
lofty situation to the front of the greenhouse, and 
so placed that it may have all the advantages of 
light and air without being exposed to the direct 
influence of the midday sun. About the middle 
of July, the plant is wholly divested of its flowers, 
together with any decayed wood and leaves, and 
shifted into a larger sized pot. In August it should 
be placed out of doors, where it can have the rays of 
the afternoon sun, and care should be taken that 
it is protected from heavy rains, but due attention 
should be paid that it has a regular supply of water. 
If it is attacked by that pest of the greenhouse, 
aphides, it should then be fumigated with tobacco, 
and if, unfortunately, they should have been unno- 
ticed until the excretion of honey-dew is become 
apparent, after fumigating, the pot should be laid 
on its side and the plant well dusted with sulphur, 
then placed in the shade for a few days and after- 
wards well watered with a syringe. 



JULY. 



109 



JULY. 



GREENHOUSE. 



Give plenty of air at all times ; attend to water- 
ing the plants left in the house, giving a good 
supply to all which require it. Syringe every 
evening. 

In this month a general striking of greenhouse 
cuttings will be necessary to keep up a succession 
of plants. See Directions for striking Cuttings, 



Many of the cuttings of last month, if duly at- 
tended to, will by this time have struck root ; pot 
off such into soils suitable to the several varieties. 

Air, water, and syringing as last month. 



Page 8. 



CONSERVATORY. 



As recommended last month. 



FLOWER-HOUSE. 



PLANTS COMING INTO FLOWER. 



Alpinia nutans. 



Celosia cristata. 
Clethra arborea. 
Clitoria ternata. 



Alstramieria ligter. 
Balsamina hortensis, 
Browallia elongata. 



Gomphrena globosa, 



110 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



Lobelia propinqua, azu 
rea, grandiflora, spe 
ciosa, Millerii. 

Heterophylla. 

Mimosa. 



Ruellia ciliata. 
Serissa fcetida. 
Anigozanthos speciosa. 
Barringtonia speciosa. 



ALPIXIA NUTANS. 



ClaSS, MONANDRIA. 



Order, Moxogynia. 



SciT AMINES. 



Native of East Indies. — Propagation, division. 

This plant must be kept in constant growth in 
order to bring it into flower. The young plants, 
if strong ones, should be potted three in a pot, 
using No. 8 size, in the month of May, and pre- 
served in a growing state until October, then 
shifted into No. 6, and plunged up to the rim in the 
tan ; they will grow vigorously, and flower about 
this time the summer following. A great number 
of suckers are generally produced from the root ; 
these should be cut away as they appear. When 
the flowering season is over, place the plant again 
in the flower-house, allowing the old stems to re- 
main until the following May, at which time each 
plant will have made a strong shoot, then cut away 
the old stem and any buds which may appear in the 
roots. Repot as before in the following soil : two 
parts loam, one part dung, one bog soil, with about 
one sixth part rough sand. 



JULY. 



Ill 



ALSTRJEMERIA LIGTER. 

Class, Hexakdria. Order, Monogynia. 

Amaryllidej?. 

Native of Peru. — Propagation,, division. 

This fine little plant is worthy a place in every 
stove. To have it in bloom this month, repot it 
early in May, in compost consisting of two parts 
bog soil, one part peat, one yellow loam, one rotten 
wood, one fourth cally sand ; then give a good water- 
ing and place the pots in the warmest part of the 
flower-house near to the glass ; continue to give a 
plentiful supply of water while they remain in this 
situation. When removed into the conservatory, the 
plants must be placed in the warmest part of it. As 
soon as the flower indicates the least decay, remove 
the plants into the flower-house ; keep them in a 
growing state until the beginning of December, when 
withhold water until May, then proceed as before. 

This dormant season is requisite for its blooming: 
were it not allowed a season of rest, it would not 
flower. 

BALSAMINA HORTENSIS. 
Class, Pentandria. Order, Monogynia. 

Balsamine^:. 
Native of East Indies. — Propagation, seeds. 
On or about the 20th of February, sow the seed 
in any rich light soil. Place the seed pots in a 
frame where there is dung-heat of about 75°, give 



112 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



a gentle watering as soon as the plants appear ; 
admit a little air early on fine mornings, but on dull 
days, not until about noon. Always shut up early, 
and sprinkle the plants with water of the same 
temperature as the air in the frame. When the 
plants are about one inch in height, pot them off, 
one in a pot, in No. 60, taking care that the soil is 
of the same warmth as that from which they are re- 
moved, that they may not receive a check from 
cold at the roots ; and this should be observed in 
all successive shiftings : place them in the same 
degree of heat as soon as they are potted. When 
the roots have filled the pots, shift into No. 48, and 
continue shifting until they are in No. 6, which sized 
pots they will fillby July, if kept in the heat above 
recommended : do not allow the flower buds to 
expand, but pinch them off as they appear, until 
you wish the plants to bloom : when in bloom re- 
move them into the conservatory. Whilst they are 
in the frame, air must be given to them freely, and 
they should always be kept as near to the glass as 
possible. 

Water. — This plant is of a very succulent nature, 
yet owing to its rapid growth, it requires a great 
deal of water : do not, however, keep it always 
wet, but let it want water before you give it any. 
then give an abundant supply : water occasionally 
with dung- water. 

Soil. — Two parts yellow loam, one part dung : 



JULY. 



113 



let this be used in every shifting, and let it be as 
rough as convenient. 



BROWALLIA ELONGATA. 
Class, Didynamia. Order, Angiosperma. 

ScROPHULARINiE. 

Native of Peru, 1768. — Propagation, seeds. 

Sow the seeds early in March : as soon as the 
young plants are one inch high, pot in No. 60, one 
in each pot. Use the following soil : one part dung, 
one yellow loam, one leaf soil, with about one sixth 
part rough sand. If this plant can be grown in 
frames as directed for balsams, so much the better; 
but if this cannot conveniently be done, it will 
succeed in the flower-house. If the lead of each 
shoot be pinched off when it has attained the height 
of two feet, it will form a fine compact bush. Shift 
in succession, as recommended for the balsam ; 
water occasionally with manure water. 



CELOSIA CRIST AT A. THE COCKSCOMB. 

Class, Pentandria. Order, Monogynia. 

Amaranthace^. 

Native of x\sia, 1570. — Propagation, seeds. 

On or about the 20th of February, sow the seeds 
in rich light soil ; give a gentle watering, and place 
the pots in dung heat at about 75°. As soon as 
the seedlings are about an inch in height, pot them 



114 GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 

off into No. 48, four plants in a pot : place them in 
heat as before, giving a good watering. 

Air. — Admit freely on fine days early in the 
mornings ; shut up by three in the afternoon, when 
sprinkle the plants with water of the same tempe- 
rature as the air in the house. Let them remain^n 
these pots until they show their heads of flowers, 
then select those which have the boldest and most 
compact combs, part them from the others, repot 
them in No. 48, singly ; as soon as they have filled 
these pots with roots, shift them into No. 32, 
and continue to shift them as they fill each pot, 
until they are in No. 12, in which let them remain. 
When they are full grown, remove them into the 
conservatory. 

This plant requires much water when in full 
growth, and to be often sprinkled over the head 
when it is open, but as soon as the comb is com- 
pact, the leaves only should be sprinkled; water 
often with dung water. 

Soil. — One part brown loam, one horse droppings, 
one cow dung, one bog soil. In this compost, it 
will attain to a large size, if grown in a dung heat 
at about 75°, and duly attended to with regard to 
air, and covering up in the evening. Always place 
the plants as near to the glass as possible, otherwise 
they will grow weak. 

They may be grown in the flower-house, or in a 



JULY. 



115 



vinery, if treated as above directed, but not to the 
same degree of perfection. 

CLETHRA ARBOREA. 
Class, Decandria. Order, Monogynia. 

Erice;e. 

Native of Madeira, 1784. — Propagation, cuttings. 

This beautiful greenhouse tree is of easy culture. 
It requires the treatment of other greenhouse plants. 
Pot in light loam, and always confine the roots in 
small pots, in proportion to the size of the head of 
the plant ; water with dung water. With this simple 
treatment, it will flower in great profusion once in 
two years ; it exhausts its sap with blooming, and 
is not able to mature flower-buds the succeeding 
summer. I have had plants every shoot of which 
has produced a bunch of blossoms. If kept in 
large pots, it grows too freely to bloom much. 



CLITORIA TERNATA. 
Class, Diadelphia. Order, Decandria. 

Leguminos^:. 
Nati ve of East Indies, 1739. — Propagation, seeds. 
A lovely blue flowering plant, requiring the heat 
of the flower-house. It succeeds well in peat with 
a little cally sand. It may be moved into the 
conservatory when in flower. 



116 GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



GOMPHRENA GLOBOSA. — GLOBE AMARANTH. 

Class, Pentandria. Order, Monogynia. 

Amaranthace^: . 

Native of West Indies and Mexico, 1714. — Pro- 
pagation, seeds. 

Sow the seeds early in March, and treat them as 
the cockscomb, using water with a little caution, 
and potting in the following soil : one part leaf soil, 
one loam, one dung, with a little rough sand. 



LOBELIA PROPINQUA, AZUREA, GRANDI- 

ELORA, ETC. 
Class, Pentandria. Order, Monogynia. 

LoBELIACEiE. 

Native of South America, &c. — Propagation, 
seeds, suckers, cuttings. 

In the month of October, or early in November, 
go over all the plants, and take up the suckers that 
are strong : pot them in rich light soil, in No. 48 
size pots ; give them a good watering, and set them 
on the north side of a wall or hedge, where they 
will not receive much sun. Here let them remain 
until the latter part of November, then remove 
them into a cold frame, giving them all the air 
possible, by drawing off the lights for the whole 
day, and leaving them off during the night, unless 
there is appearance of frost, when cover up the 
frame with mats or straw. Keep them in this situa- 



JULY. 



117 



tion until the beginning of January, at which time 
shift them into Xo. 32. 

Soil. — One part mud out of a stagnant pond 
which has been collected and laid one year to 
meliorate, one part loam, one dung. In the pond 
soil the plants produce the finest coloured blos- 
soms, but do not grow so large as when they 
are grown in one part loam mixed with it. After 
they are shifted they must be placed in the flower- 
house, or early vinery, as near to the glass as pos- 
sible. Give an abundance of water, as these plants 
succeed well in places of shallow water. As they nil 
their pots with roots, keep shifting them until they are 
in Xo. S. In April, let the plants be removed into 
the greenhouse, and from the greenhouse into the 
open air about the 20th May. As they advance in 
growth, the flower stems should be tied to stakes. 
They may now be removed to the steps, or in front 
of the conservatory, where they have a brilliant 
effect if well supplied with water. 

LOBELIA HETEROPHYLLA. 

Native of Van Diemen's Land. — Propagation., 
seeds, cuttings. 

This tine blue flowering plant is one of the love- 
liest of the genus. Mr. Paxton classes it among 
the annuals, whilst Mr. Loudon's opinion is that it 
is biennial. I am inclined, from what I have ob- 
served of it, to agree with Mr. Paxton. 



118 GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 

Sow the seeds as soon as they are ripe ; place the 
pot in which they are sown on a shelf in the green- 
house, near to the glass ; give a little water with a 
fine rose as it appears to require it : here let them 
remain until January, then pot off the plants, one 
in each pot, in No. 60 ; then place them in a gentle 
dung heat to assist them in obtaining a good root ; 
when this is accomplished, they may be removed 
into the flower-house, placing them near the glass ; 
this hardens the plants for the greenhouse, into which 
let them be taken ; when hardy enough to grow- 
well there, they may be shifted into No. 12. 

Soil. — Two parts loam, one part dung, one leaf 
mould, with about one sixth part rough sand. Let 
the plants be trained to stakes set about four inches 
apart, round the edge of the pot. They will flower 
this month. This Lobelia should be in the posses- 
sion of every lover of flowers ; it is to be procured 
at most of the nurseries, at a low price. 



MIMOSA SENSITIVA. SENSITIVE PLANT. 

Class, Polygamia. Order, Moncecia* 

Leguminos;e. 
Native of Brazil, 1648. — Propagation, seeds. 
Sow the seeds early in February, and place the 
pot into a dung heat of about 75° ; as soon as the 
plants are two inches high, pot them into No. 60, 
one in each pot, using the following soil : one part 



JULY, 



119 



leaf, one bog soil, one peat, and one cally sand. 
Keep them in the dung heat until they have made 
fresh roots, when remove them into the warmest 
part of the bark bed in the flower-house ; shift 
them as they fill their pots, until they are in No. 
32. This plant does not require much water. 

RUELLIA CILIATA. 
Class, Didynamia. Order, Angiosperma. 

AcONTHACE^E. 

Native of the East Indies, 1806.— Propagation, 
cuttings. 

This charming little plant, which is too much 
neglected, and but seldom seen except in nurseries, 
commences blooming in May, and continues until 
September. The soil most suitable for its growth 
is two thirds peat, and one third maiden loam. 
The proper time for propagating it is in March, 
making choice of the young shoots, with a little of 
the last year's wood. Plunge the pot in a dung 
bed with no bottom heat ; as soon as the cuttings 
are rooted, pot them off in thumb pots, and keep 
pinching off the end of the shoots to keep the plant 
bushy, which should never be above a foot high. 
It is very subject to damp, and should be kept in 
a dry airy part of the greenhouse. It should be 
watered with great care. 

Or. EDWARDS, 
Layerthorpe, York. 



120 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



SERISSA FCETTDA, FLORA PLENA. 
Class, Pentandria. Order, Monogynia. 

RuBIACEiE. 

Native of Japan, 1687. — Propagation, cuttings. 

This little under shrub is of easy culture, re- 
quiring but little attention. It grows well in any 
light rich soil. It must be kept in the flower- 
house, except when in full bloom, when it may be 
removed into the conservatory for a short time. 

This plant is considered a greenhouse plant, 
but it amply repays for the little room it occupies 
in the flower-house, by the greater abundance of 
bloom. 



ANIGOZANTHOS SPECIOSA. 
Class, Hexandria. Order, Monogynia. 

HiEMODORACE^. 

Native of New Holland. 

This is an exceedingly beautiful variety; the 
flowers are produced on much branched panicles, 
with a long upright stem ; the flowers are green 
with a scarlet calyx or base ; the two colours 
blended together have a most singular and pleasing 
effect. What adds much to the value of the plant 
is, that it is a very rapid grower ; it requires the 
protection of the greenhouse in winter : during the 
time it is coming into blossom, place it in a cold 
pit to prevent the flower-stem from being drawn 



JULY. 



121 



up too high. This is a plant we strongly re- 
commend for every greenhouse. It also blooms 
well in the open border during the summer 
months. It grows best in equal parts loam and 
peat. 



BARRINGTONIA SPECIOSA. 
Class, Diadelphia. Order, Pentandria. 
Myrtaceje. 

Native of the East Indies, 1786. — Propagation, 
cuttings. 

A noble plant, with fine shining leaves and most 
beautiful purple and white flowers. It attains the 
height of ten or fifteen feet before it blooms. 

The heat of the house in which it is placed 
should vary from 50° to 60 9 during the winter, and 
should be very dry. It should have no more water 
than will keep its roots fresh and healthful : in the 
beginning of May, heat and moisture must be in- 
creased and continued until October. The chief 
point to be attended to in growing and flowering 
plants is to give them a season of rest, by keeping 
them cool and very dry during winter : they are 
then prepared to put forth when the growing 
season commences, which cannot be the case if 
they are always kept in an excited state through- 
out the year. 



122 GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 

The soil in which the Barringtonia flourishes is 
strong rich loam, with a portion of rough sand, 
potted in March. It ought never to be allowed 
to get pot-bound, nor should it ever be put 
into a pot that it would not fill with roots in six 
months. 

This plant strikes freely from cuttings of the 
half ripened wood, in a good bottom heat, one 
cutting in a pot. As the pots fill with roots, shift 
into the next size, and keep them in the same heat 
until the young plants are about one foot in height, 
when place them in the stove, and treat them as 
above directed. 

AUGUST. 
CONSERVATORY. 

Let the borders of the conservatory be forked 
up when the roots are not at the surface ; then 
give a gentle watering ; afterwards rake them 
smooth. Keeping the borders thus stirred, allows 
the air to pass freely amongst the young fibres. 

Heat. — Fire-heat is unnecessary, except to dry 
up the damp when there is a continuance of dull 
weather. 

Air. — Give as much as possible during the day, 
and also leave air all night. 

Water. — Syringe two or three times a week ; 



AUGUST. 



128 



do this on fine mornings ; attend to watering plants 
in pots and tubs, and also the borders, when they 
require it. 

GREENHOUSE. 

Air. — Give as much as you possibly can both 
day and night. 

Water. — Attend to this every day; syringe oc- 
casionally on fine mornings. Sow seeds of such 
annuals as you wish to flower in the spring. The 
plants which are in the open air will require regular 
attention ; some it will be necessary to shift, others 
to repot ; but as ample directions are given on this 
head for each genus treated of in this work, it is 
unnecessary to repeat them. 

FLOWER-HOUSE. 

Heat. — Should the latter end of the month be 
very cold, put on a little fire every evening. 

Air. — Admit it freely every day. 

Water. — Syringe once or twice a day. Give 
such plants as are growing fast a good supply of 
water, but delicate ones require to be kept mode- 
rately dry, otherwise they are very apt to die from 
too much moisture. 

PLANTS COMING INTO FLOWER THIS MONTH. 

Ancrelonia salicaritefolia. Brugmansia suaveolens, 

Aphelandra cristata. Brunsvigia Josephinae, 
Astelma eximium. falcata. 

Bouvardia triphylla. Campanula pyramidalis, 



124 GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



Clintonia pulchella. 
Diplacus puniceus. 
Hedychium coronarium, 

Gardnerianum. 
Lagerstrcemia indica. 
Phlox Drummondii. 



Phcenocoma prolifera. 
Polianthes tuberosa. 
Russelia juncea. 
Statica arborea. 
Syphocampelis bicolor. 
Trevirana coccinea. 



ANGELONIA SALICARI^IFOLIA. 
Class, Didynamia. Order, Angiosperma. 

SCROPHULARIN^I. 

Native of South America, 1818. — Propagation, 
division. 

This beautiful light blue flowering plant is deserv- 
ing of a place in every collection. Like the Astrae- 
nieria it requires a season of rest : the proper time 
to repot it is in the month of March. Shake off 
all the old soil from the roots, and pot in No. 24, 
in the following compost : one part bog, one leaf, 
one peat, one cally sand. Drain the pot well, 
then place it in the flower-house ; give but a little 
water until it is above the soil in the pot. When 
the flowering season is over, and the herbage is 
perfectly ripe, be cautious with water until the fol- 
lowing March, when repot as before. 



AUGUST. 



125 



APHELANDRA CRIST AT A. 
Class, Didynamia. Order, Angiospermia. 

AcANTHACEiE. 

Native of the West Indies, 1733. — Propagation, 
cuttings. 

This is a charming scarlet flowering stove plant. 
It thrives well in two parts loam, one part leaf soil, 
with a little rough sand. 

As soon as the flowering season is over, place 
the plant in the warmest situation in the flower- 
house. When the young shoots are about one 
inch long, turn the plant out of its pot, remove 
a part of the ball, and repot into a size smaller pot; 
in March following, shift it into the next size. If 
your plants are young, shift as they fill their pots 
with roots, until they are in pots proportionate to 
the size of the plants, then proceed as with the old 
plants. Drain the pots well. 

ASTELMA EXIMIUM. 
Class, Syngenesia. Order, Superflua. 

Composite. 

Native of the Cape of Good Hope, 1793. — Pro- 
pagation, cuttings. 

This is a fine greenhouse plant, flowering in the 
greatest profusion this month. It grows well in 
two parts loam, one part leaf soil, with a little 
rough sand. Repot early in the spring. Treat it 
as other greenhouse plants. 



126 GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



Strike cuttings of this plant in the greenhouse 
without glass ; they are liable to damp off. 



BOUVARDIA TRIPHYLLA AND SPLENDENS. 
Class, Tetrandria. Order, Monogynia. 

Rubiace.^. 

Native of Mexico, 1794. — Propagation, cut- 
tings. 

A low shrub, producing long scarlet flowers in 
the autumn months. It grows well in rich light 
soil. In March shake off part of the old mould 
from its roots, and repot in as small a pot as the 
ball will admit of ; shift into the next size as the 
plant fills its pot with roots. Let it be placed in 
the open air with the other greenhouse plants. 
Whilst it is in the house, keep it as near the glass as 
possible. 



BRUGMANSIA SUAVEOLENS. 
Class, Pentandria. Order, Monogynia. 

SoLANEiE. 

Native of Peru, 1733. — Propagation, cuttings. 

W. K. Petrick, who succeeds in blooming this 
fragrant shrub to great perfection, gives the follow- 
ing as his mode of culture. Having an old esta- 
blished plant that has been wintered in the green- 
house, early in March he turns it out of the pot, 



AUGUST. 



127 



shakes all the soil from the roots, and cuts away a 
part of the strongest roots, then pots it in as small 
a pot as the root will permit ; he then places the 
plant in any forcing house, shifts, as the roots ap- 
pear through the hole at the bottom of the pot, into 
the next size, and continues to do so until the plant 
is in a pot of a size corresponding to the head of 
the plant. He prunes the branches at the same time 
he does the roots, leaving about four inches of the 
last year's wood to each shoot, unless the plant 
be meant to grow taller, when he leaves them to 
attain the size he wishes them to be. He recom- 
mends, when the plants are young and in small 
pots, shifting them into the next size pot at the 
time the old plants are repotted, and pursues the 
same method, as to shifting, &c, with them as with 
the old plant. 

Water. — Give an abundance when the plants are 
in vigorous health ; when they are growing luxuri- 
antly I withhold water for a few days, this checks 
the growth, and causes the flower-buds to appear 
in great abundance, after which time you cannot 
give them too much water. Occasionally water 
with dung water. 

Soil. — A rich maiden loam. Drain the pots 
well. 

Keep the plants clear from the green-fly. 



12S 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



BRUNSVIGIA JOSEPHINEA, FALCATA. 
Class, Hexandria. Order, Monogynia. 

Amaryllideje. 

Natives of the Cape of Good Hope, Josepliinea, 
1814; falcata, 1795. — Propagation, offsets. 

These fine flowering bulbs will blossom much 
stronger if they be grown in large pots, and sup- 
plied with plenty of water whilst in a growing state. 
When the foliage is sufficiently ripe, withhold water 
altogether, and place the pots on a shelf in a warm 
shed or the greenhouse, in which situation they must 
remain for three months at least ; then remove them 
into a lively heat, and give them abundance of 
water : this enables them to put out strong flowering 
stems. 

As soon as the blossom is decayed, turn the 
bulbs out of the pots ; shake off most of the soil 
from amongst the roots : be careful in doing this 
that you do not break any of the roots, then repot 
the plants and place them in heat, where let them 
remain until the foliage indicates decay ; then with - 
hold water, and keep them in a dormant state, as 
recommended above. 

Soil. — Peat, strong yellow loam, and decom- 
posed cow-dung, and a little rough sand. It is re- 
quisite for the pots to be well drained. 



AUGUST. 



129 



CAMPANULA PYRAMIDALIS. 
Class, Pentandria. Order, Monogynia. 

CAMPANULACEiE. 

Native of Europe, 1596. — Propagation, seeds, 
cuttings of roots, and division. 

The finest specimens of this plant are obtained 
from cuttings of the roots. Early in January, I 
turn the old plant out of its pot, and cut the root in 
pieces about one inch in length. Set a number of 
these in a pot, and place them either in the flower- 
house or a cutting frame, which is preferable : give 
a good watering. As soon as they have struck 
root, pot them off into No. 60, one in a pot ; place 
them in heat for a short period : when they are 
well established in these pots, remove them into the 
greenhouse for a short time, until they are suf- 
ficiently hardy to be removed into the open air. 
Shift them during the summer, until they are in 
No. 24 ; in these pots let them remain all the winter. 
During that season, keep them in a cold frame. In 
the beginning of February, shift them into No. 16, 
and place them in the flower-house. When these 
pots are filled with roots, pot into No. 12, and 
lastly into No. 8, or 6, if your plants be very 
strong. From the time they are shifted into No. 
16 they require abundance of water : the last shift- 
ing need not take place until the early part of May, 
when they may be put in a cold frame until inured 
to the open air. 



130 GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



Soil.-— Equal parts loam and dung. 

With the above treatment I have had plants nine 
feet in height. 

This plant makes a fine show in the conservatory, 
and also serves as a charming contrast mixed among 
the lobelias in the front of the house. 



DIPLACUS PUNICEUS. 
Propagation, cuttings. 
Treatment, see Syphocampelis Bicolor. 



HEDYCHIUM CORONAMUM, GARDNERIANUM. 
Class, Monandria. Order, Monogynia. 

SdTAMINEjE. 

Natives of the East Indies; Coronarium, 1791; 
Gardnerianum, 1819. — Propagation, division. 

Mr. W. West, who has succeeded in flowering 
this plant to an extraordinary degree of perfection, 
gives the following as his mode of treatment :— 

Early in February, I turn the plants out of their 
old pots, shake off all the soil from the roots, and 
cut off the weakest eyes. I then pot in No. 12 
pots, in one part dung and two parts loam, well 
mixed together ; the plants are then placed in the 
warmest part of the vinery. When they have 
made strong stems, I give them abundance of 
water. As soon as they have filled their pots with 



AUGUST. 



131 



roots, I shift them into No. 6, and occasionally 
water them with dung water, when they have filled 
their pots with roots. When the flower stems 
are about to shew for bloom, I never syringe the 
foliage, for at such times the water often lodges in 
the axillas of the stems, and causes them to 
decay. 

By pursuing the above treatment I have had a 
succession of flowers for a great length of time. 
Daring the last season, plants blossomed early in 
the summer ; these stems I cut away, and others 
which were pushing out produced a good autumn 
blossom. 

During the winter months they should be kept 
in a dormant state, either in the greenhouse or 
some similar situation. 

The Hed. Gardnerianum, which is the finest of 
this genus, is deserving of a place in every col- 
lection. I bloomed this plant under the following 
treatment to great perfection : — In February, I 
shook off the old soil from the roots, and potted it 
in No. 12, in a compost of dung, loam, and bog soil, 
with a little rough sand. I placed it in a heat of about 
65°, gave it plenty of water at the roots when in 
a quick growing state, shifted into No. 8 in June, 
and in August it blossomed. The scent of the 
flowers is powerfully fragrant and very agreeable. 
As soon as the flowers were all decayed, I placed 
it in a common greenhouse, where it remained 

k2 



132 GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



until February. I give but little water during the 
winter months. 

This genus requires to be matured by a quick 
growth. 



LAGERSTRGEMIA INDICA. 
Class, Polyandria. Order, Monogynia, 

Salicarle. 

Native of the East Indies, 1759. — Propagation, 
cuttings, suckers. 

Mr. J.Rheynolds, who has flowered this fine stove 
shrub with great success, treats it in the following 
manner. Having a young healthy plant, in the 
early part of March, he shifts it into the next size 
pot ; as soon as this pot is full of roots, he con- 
tinues the same process of shifting until it is in 
No. 16, in which pot he allows it to remain during 
the winter. In the early part of the ensuing March, 
he turns the plant out of its pot, shakes off part 
of the old soil from the roots, and repots in No. 
8, in which it remains to blossom. 

Water. — Supply it moderately in the summer, 
but give it only a little in the winter. Place the 
plant in as cold a situation as you have in the 
flower-house ; but from March, until it flowers, let 
it occupy the warmest part of the house. In pre- 
paring old established plants, shake most of the 
old soil from the roots, and pot in as small pots as 



AUGUST. 



133 



the roots will admit of. Shift as they fill their 
pots with roots. 

Soil. — Brown loam.— Drain the pots well. 



PHLOX DRUMMONDII. 
Class, Pentandria. Order, Monogynia. 

PoLEMONIACEiE. 

Native of N. America. — Propagation, seeds. 

This beautiful annual has assumed a grand fea- 
ture under the management of Mr. Brown, who 
gives the following directions : — Sow the seeds in 
August ; pot them off into No. 60, place them in 
a gentle heat until well rooted, then let them be 
removed into the greenhouse, and placed near the 
glass, watering them occasionally. Early in March 
shift them into No. 48, and continue shifting them 
until July, when remove them into the open air, 
and let a free circulation of air be given to them, 
quite round the plants, in every situation and at 
all times. 

Soil. — Equal parts leaf and loam, with the ad- 
dition of a little sand. 



134 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



PHCENOCOMA PROLIFERA. 
Class, Syngenesia. Order, Superflua 

Composite. 

Native of Cape of Good Hope, 1789. — Propa- 
gation, cuttings. 

A charming plant, well worthy of every col- 
lector's attention, on account of the beauty both 
of its foliage and flower. It thrives well in peat 
with a little cally sand ; it should be kept in the 
greenhouse all the year. Repot the plant in March ; 
remove a little of the old soil, and if it be in a 
flourishing condition, shift it into the next sized 
pot. 



POLYANTHES TUBEROSA. 
Class, Hexandria. Order, Monogynia. 

Hemerocallide-e. 
Native of the East Indies, 1629. — Propagation, 
offsets. 

This is a finely scented plant. It requires to be 
potted in March in two parts loam, one part leaf 
mould, with a little rough sand, and placed in the 
flower-house, where it must remain until it is about 
one foot in height, when remove it into the green- 
house, place it in the warmest part, near to the 
glass. It should have a good supply of water 
when in a vigorous growing state. 



AUGUST. 



135 



RUSSELIA JUNCEA. 
Class, Didynamia. Order, Angiospermia. 

ScROPHULARINiE. 

Native of Mexico. — Propagation, cuttings, 
suckers. 

Mr. J. Edwards, Nurseryman, Layerthorpe, near 
York, who cultivates this lovely plant to great per- 
fection, adopts the following method of growing it. 
He strikes cuttings in July, which, when rooted, 
he pots into No. 90, and as they fill them with 
roots, shifts them into the next size. He considers 
it a bad practice to over pot the plants. If the 
shifting be attended to as the plants require it, in 
July following they will be established in No. 6, in 
which size pot they are to remain for blossoming. 
This is a plant which requires a heat of from 60° 
to 65°, and to be placed as near the glass as pos- 
sible. 

Water. — It should have an abundance when the 
pot is full of roots. Many persons, indeed, con- 
sider it to be an aquatic plant, but I find that so 
to treat it, before it is well established in the pot, 
is injurious to it; but it delights at all times in 
being well syringed. 

Soil. — Equal parts rich loam and peat. 

This plant is grown in the greenhouse in many 
places ; but in this situation it will never assume 
that commanding appearance which it will do when 
grown as recommended above. 



136 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



SYPHOCAMFELIS BICOLOR. 
Order, Lobeliace.e. 
Propagation, cuttings. 

Mr. Brown, foreman to Mr. J. T. Backhouse, of 
York, grows this plant well under the following 
treatment. Cuttings are struck in July and potted 
into No. 60 ; as soon as the pot is filled with roots, 
the plant is shifted into No. 48 ; in this pot the 
plant remains until the following March, then it is 
shifted into No. 32, and the shifting is proceeded 
with as the pots fill with roots, until it is in No. 12, 
in which size it remains during the winter. About 
the beginning of the ensuing March, the plant is 
turned out of its pot, a part of the old soil shaken 
from off the roots, and it is repotted in the same 
sized pot ; it is shifted into No. 8 when it has filled 
its pot with roots. The plant is put out in the 
open air early in May ; it may remain there until 
the first part of July ; it is then taken into the 
greenhouse again. It grows freely, producing its 
flowers in abundance, and will continue to do 
so throughout the autumn, winter, and spring 
months. 

Soil. — Equal parts dung and loam. 



AUGUST. 



137 



STATICA ARBOREA. 
Class, Pentandria. Order, Polygynia. 

Plumb AGiNEiE. 
Native of Teneriffe, 1839. — Propagation, cut- 
tings. 

This fine plant being a native of the South Sea 
Islands, growing near to the shore, is a great ab- 
sorbent, and therefore delights in a moist atmo- 
sphere with some degree of warmth ; at present it 
is considered a stove plant, but I doubt not that 
before long it will be found to be so hardy, that it 
may be grown in a greenhouse : but be it when it 
may, the success of cultivating it will depend on 
the moisture which it receives over its head, when 
in a growing state : it also requires the same no 
less freely at its roots when in a growing state, but 
when dormant, which should be in the dark months 
of winter, no more moisture will be necessary than 
what is sufficient to keep it from flagging. 

Soil. — Peat, loam, and white sand ; the drainage 
of the pot must be open. 

W. MAY. 



TREVIRANA COCCINEA, ETC. 

(NOW ACHIMENES COCCINEA.) 

Class, Didynamia. Order, Angiospermia. 

ScROPHULARIN^E. 

Native of Jamaica, 1778. — Propagation, offsets. 
This elegant little scarlet flowering plant is of 



138 GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 

singular beauty. The roots are of a curious cha- 
racter, having the appearance of an insect of the 
maggot kind. Before the middle of March, let the 
roots be collected together out of the several pots 
and the strongest of them planted in No. 60, one 
in each pot, in the following soil : one part dung, 
one leaf mould, one loam, and about one sixth cally 
sand ; place the pots in the warmest part of the 
flower-house ; shift as the pots fill with the roots 
until they are in No, 24, in w T hich let them remain 
for flowering : if the plants are not of sufficient 
growth to be in No. 24 size pots by the end of July, 
let them continue in the pots in which they may be 
at that time, for if they are shifted later, they will 
not blossom in such a mass as they will if the pot 
be full of roots. As they come into flower, remove 
them into the conservatory. When the flowering 
season is over, place them on shelves in the green- 
house, and withhold water altogether until you re- 
plant them in March following. By this method 
much finer plants will be obtained than when three 
or four are allowed to grow in one pot. 

There is now an addition to this genus which 
may be purchased at any nursery, Achimenes longi- 
flora. 



AUGUST. 



139 



BROWNLOWIA GRANDIFLORA, ELATA. 
Class, Polyandria. Order, Monogynia. 

TlLIACE/E. 

Native of the East Indies, 1820. — Propagation, 
cuttings. 

This is a noble genus, and is very rare ; it is well 
worthy the greatest care of the cultivator, were it 
only for the fine thin delicate foliage. The flowers 
are produced in large racemes, which give a splendid 
appearance to the plant. Tt strikes freely from 
cuttings in the latter part of spring and the early 
part of summer. The cuttings should be planted 
singly in small No. 60, in equal portions of sand 
and peat, and placed in a frame in a gentle bottom 
heat, and covered with a hand glass until they are 
struck and have made pretty good roots. As soon 
as the pots are full of roots, shift and continue to 
do so as they require it, (keeping them in bottom 
heat,) until they are in large 48, at which shifting 
remove them into the stove, and never allow them 
to get pot-bound. 

Soil for this genus is equal parts very light turfy 
loam, turfy peat, and decomposed dung, with a 
little rough sand. This should be thrown up for 
one year previous to using, and turned several 
times in the course of the season. It is proper to 
state that no soil should be sifted, as in sifting the 
nutritious qualities of the soil are destroyed, and 



140 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



thus the plants grown in it are prevented from ever 
becoming fine ones or perfect in their flowering. 
The pots also must be well drained. 

Water. — When in a vigorous growing state, this 
plant will require a good supply, but when at rest, 
which should be from October to Mav, it will re- 
quire but little : if kept constantly excited, when the 
season of growth comes on it will be found very 
weak and sickly, and unable to produce strong 
shoots. All young plants must be kept as near the 
glass as possible, but not allowed to get turned with 
the sun : a little shade should be given when the 
heat of the sun is powerful. 

When air is given in a stove, it is necessary 
to pour water on the paths, as the air when hot and 
dry, circulating over the plants, drains them of 
their juices, and the leaves are often burned, or 
blotched, or curled up, the effect of having the 
house too dry ; for by this the stomata, or pores 
through which the plants perspire, are closed up, 
and the plant becomes unhealthy and very often 
dies. The stomata being on the under side of the 
leaves, large drops of water are to be found there : 
this is the perspiration of the plants, or the 
exuding of their superabundant juices, and when 
these are carried off too fast, it causes the plants 
to throw off more than they can bear ; the pores 
then become closed up, and the leaves blotched or 
curled. 



SEPTEMBER. 



141 



Heat— during the winter, from 40° to 60°, with a 
dry atmosphere ; in summer from 60° to 100°, with 
air according to the state of the weather. 

P. N. DON. 

SEPTEMBER. 

GREENHOUSE. 
As directed last month. 

CONSERVATORY. 
As directed last month. 

FLOWER-HOUSE. 
As directed last month. 

PLANTS COMING INTO FLOWER. 

Asclepias curassavica, Gardenia radicans. 

alba, &c. Ipomopsis elegans. 

Calothamnus quadrifida. Ixora grandiflora. 

Clerodendrum fragrans. Musa coccinea. 

Combretum purpureum. Salvia patens. 

Dichorizandra Thyrsi- Tristania Nereifolia. 

flora. 



ASCLEPIAS CURASSAVICA, ALBA, ETC. 
Class. Pentandria. Order, Digynia. 

ASCLEPIADE.E. 

Native of South America, 1818. — Propagation, 
seeds, cuttings, and division. 

These are two plants of singular beauty. The 
following is the treatment I consider best adapted 



142 GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



to bring them to perfection: — strike cuttings early 
in the spring, pot them off in No. 60 pots when 
well rooted, and shift them as they require it ; they 
will blossom this month. They should be kept in 
the coolest part of the flower-house and suffered to 
be in a dormant state during the winter. About 
the beginning of the following March, let a portion 
of the old soil be shaken from the roots, repot 
them in pots proportionate to their size ; shift them, 
when these pots are filled with roots, into the next 
size, then place them in the warmest part of the 
flower-house ; they will flower in June or July : for 
successional bloom, let them be potted in April, 
May, and June, and a fine show of blossom will fol- 
low. Cut down the old shoots at the time of fresh 
potting them. 

Soil. — Loam, dung, and peat, with about one 
sixth rough sand. 

CALOTHAMNUS QUADRIFIDA. 

Class, Polyadelphia. Order, Polyandria. 
Myrtaceje. 

Native of New T Holland, 1803.— Propagation, 
seeds, cuttings. 

This shrub, from the peculiar character of its 
flowers and general appearance, is well worthy a 
place in every collection. It requires but little 
care, and should be treated as a common greenhouse 
plant. It flowers in abundance. 



SEPTEMBER. 



143 



Soil. — Two parts loam, one part leaf mould. 
Pot it in March. 



CLERODENDRUM FRAGRANS. 
Class, Didynamia. Order, Angiospermia. 

VerbestacejE. 
Native of China, 1790. — Propagation, suckers, 
cuttings. 

This fine fragrant flowering shrub should not be 
omitted in any collection. By the following treat- 
ment I get it to blossom in the greatest perfection. 
I pot it in soil composed of equal parts loam, dung, 
and decayed wood, with about one sixth rough 
sand. I strike cuttings early in spring, and after 
potting them I shift them as they require it until 
they are in No. 16. They attain to the size of 
good flowering plants in about eighteen months. 
I turn out the old plants in March, and shake off a 
part of the soil from the roots, and repot them in 
the same sized pots ; they will blossom this month. 
Prune them by cutting away, at this time, the last 
year's shoot to within two inches of its base. This 
plant requires the flower-house heat. 

COMBRETUM PURPUREUM. 
Class, Octandria. Order, Monogynia. 

CoMBRATACEjE. 

Native of Madagascar, 1818.— Propagation, cut- 
tings, layers. 



144 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



A charming scarlet flowering climber, requiring 
to be grown in Xo. 1 size pot, or in a border in the 
flower-house., to have it in its greatest beautv. 
But as it is not in the power of every person to 
have it in a pit, I shall give its treatment in a pot 
for the use of those who wish to obtain a fine flower 
in winter. Young plants should be shifted as they 
fill their pots with roots, and be kept in a growing 
state when they are of a strong healthy description. 
Early in March, turn each plant out of its pot, set 
the roots at liberty, and repot it in No, 1 size pot. 
then train the shoots on a trellis, fan, globe, or into 
any other form you may wish. 

Place the plant in as cool a part of the house as 
you can, and supply it moderately with water. In 
May let it be removed into the greenhouse for two 
months ; this gives it a check and prepares it for a 
vigorous push of young shoots, which produce the 
bloom. In July replace it in the flower-house, and 
it will blossom in profusion in the autumn ; when 
it is in flower, remove it into the conservatory, but 
do not let it remain long, as stove plants receive 
much injury if they are kept out of their proper 
temperature for any length of time at this season of 
the year. 

Soil. — Three parts loam, one part dung, one 
leaf soil, with a little rough sand. Drain the pots 
well. 



SEPTEMBER. 



145 



DICHORIZANDRA, THYRSIFLORA. 
Class, Hexandria. Order, Monogynia. 

CoMMELINEJE. 

Native of Brazil, 1822. — Propagation, division. 

This is a very attractive blue flower. It re- 
quires to be kept dormant during the winter 
months in the flower-house, but a little water 
should be occasionally given to it. In the begin- 
ning of March, turn the plant out of its pot, shake 
all the soil from the roots, and repot it in the fol- 
lowing soil : two parts loam, one part leaf mould, 
with about one-sixth rough sand. Place it in the 
pit in the flower-house. 

GARDENIA RADICANS. 
Class, Pentandria. Order, Monogynia. 

Rubiace^e. 

Native of China, 1804. — Propagation, cuttings, 
suckers. 

Mr. Reynolds, who succeeded in growing this 
plant to great perfection, gives the following direc- 
tions. 

Having a young healthy plant, I continue to 
shift it to the next size pot as it fills the former 
one with roots until the plant is in No. 24, in which 
size pot I bloom it. With respect to an old esta- 
blished plant, in April I turn it out of its pot, re- 
move a part of the soil, and repot in the same size, 
draining the pot well. The soil I use is composed 

L 



146 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



of two parts light rich loam, one part rotten wood, 
with about a sixth part cally sand, I place the 
plant where it does not receive any bottom heat. 
because ; from the circumstance of the roots striking 
downwards, any bottom heat would injure them: 
the situation I choose is on a shelf, or the curb of 
a pine pit. I keep the plant rather moist, and 
often syringe over the foliage. For the greater 
part of the year I preserve a heat of about 65°, 
and give but little water during the first three 
months, in order to allow the plant a season of 
rest. 



IPOMOFSIS ELEGANS. 
Class, Pentandria. Order. Monogynia. 

PoEEMONIACEJE. 

Native of North America, 1826. — Propagation, 
seeds. 

Sow the seeds in July, and pot the young plants 
singly in No. 48 pots; place them in a cold frame,, 
and shade them for a few days. As soon as they 
are fresh rooted, draw off the light in the morning, 
and when put on in the evening, let a free circu- 
lation of air draw through the frame. Protect 
them from heavy rains, and water sparingly. In 
the months of November and December, it is ad- 
visable to let the pots stand on bricks, and to have 
a free circulation of air, as they are very subject to 
damp off ; in frosty nights, the frame should be 



SEPTEMBER. 



147 



covered up with straw or mats ; and if the weather 
should be so severe as to require a covering, during 
the day remove the plants into the greenhouse, 
placing them near the glass, and as far from the 
fire heat as possible. In March, shift them into 
No. 32, and as soon as these pots fill with roots, 
shift again into No. 24, and lastly into No. 16. 
Let the plants be removed into the open air as 
early as the season will permit. 

Never water over the foliage or syringe them, 
as that would destroy them. Before watering, be 
sure to see that they require it. 

Soil. — Leaf and loam, with a little rough sand. 

IXORA GRANDIFLORA. 
Class, Tetrandria. Order, Monogynia. 

RuBIACEiE. 

Native of East Indies, 1814 — Propagation, cut- 
tings. 

This is a fine showy shrub ; its large corymbi of 
flowers are strikingly beautiful. It requires the 
heat of the flower-house, but must be placed in 
such a situation that its roots may not receive in- 
jury from any bottom heat ; that alone will prevent 
it from growing ; for, like the gardenia, its roots 
strike downwards to the bottom of the pot. Its 
best situation is an old spent bark bed. 

Soil. — Peat. The plant should be repotted as 
soon as it has done blooming. It requires rest, 



148 GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



which is easily afforded it by placing it in the 
coldest part of the flower-house, and only supplying 
it sparingly with water during the winter months. 
Young plants flower the most freely ; strike cut- 
tings every spring and throw the old plants away. 
The time for this plant commencing to bloom is in 
June^ but, to retard it until this season, do not 
force it into free growth before May. 

Water. — It requires much of this element when 
in a vigorous growing state. 

From MR. SMITHERS. 

MUSA COCCINEA. THE PLANTAIN TREE. 

Class, Pentandria. Order, Monogynia. 

MlJSACE.E. 

Native of China, 1792. — Propagation, offsets. 

This charming genus is of singular beauty ; its 
leaves alone form a fine contrast with its flowers, 
which are amongst the most magnificent we are 
acquainted with. In its treatment, it requires to 
be grown quickly and to be kept constantly shifted. 
Having a young healthy plant in the spring, shift 
it into the next size pot, and continue the same 
process until you have it in No. 6. The time of 
its flowering will depend upon the quickness of its 
growth, but if it be a fine strong sucker it will 
blossom in about eighteen months. Give plenty of 
water during the whole summer. 

Soil. — Equal parts dung and loam, with a little 



SEPTEMBER. 



149 



rough sand. Let it occupy the warmest place in 
the flower-house. 



BURTONIA CONFERTA. 

Class, Decandria. Order, Monogynia. 

Leguminos.e. 

Native of New Holland. — Propagation, cuttings. 

A pretty evergreen shrub, worthy a place in all 
good collections. 

Soie. — Sandy turfy peat, with a small portion of 
decomposed horsedung and a little cally sand. The 
plant should be placed on a shelf as near the glass 
as possible, and have a free circulation of air. It 
is apt to spindle up, therefore pinch out the head of 
each shoot to keep it bushy. Give the pot a good 
drainage and a proper supply of water : on this 
depends the success of cultivation of this plant. 
Never allow the ball to get dry or to be soddened 
with water. 

W. MAY. 



SALVIA PATENS. 
Class, Diandria. Order, Monogynia. 

Labiat.e. 

Native of Mexico, 1839. — Propagation, cuttings. 

Place the old stool in heat early in January ; by 
February it will have sent up from the roots strong 
suckers. As soon as they are strong enough, take 
off cuttings and place them in the cutting-frame ; 



150 GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



in about a month these cuttings will have made 
good roots ; pot them off in No. 60, one in each 
pot ; pinch out the lead, and replace them in the 
cutting-frame or any dung heat for a time, until 
they are rooted, when let them be removed into 
the flower-house and put near the glass. Shift, as 
they fill their pots with roots, until they are in 
No. 8. About the beginning of May, place them 
in the warmest part of the greenhouse, and in June 
remove them into the open air, at which time take 
out the lead of every shoot, if you wish for bushy 
plants, and pinch off the buds of the next shoots 
which have pushed, leaving only two joints. Plants 
under this treatment make fine bushy ones, and 
bloom in abundance in September, October, and 
November. But it is desirable to have blooming 
plants earlier than September : those which you 
wish to select for this purpose should remain in 
No. 12 pots, and you are not to pinch off the lead 
of the last pushed shoots, but allow them to grow. 
In July you will have a profusion of blossoms by 
thus treating the plants, but not in so splendid a 
display as you would have by the former mode of 
proceeding. 

Soil. — Two parts loam, one part dung, with 
about one-sixth rough sand. 



OCTOBER. 



151 



TRISTANIA NEREIFOLIA. 
Class, Polyadelphia. Order, Polyandria. 
MyrtacejE. 

Native of New Holland. — Propagation, seed, 
cuttings. 

Treatment, see Calothamnus. 



OCTOBER. 

GREENHOUSE. 

In the early part of the month let the green- 
house be got ready for the reception of the plants, 
by washing the stage, trellises, &c, and prepare 
the plants for the house by pruning the heads of 
any superfluous growth, thinning out any weak 
shoots, dead branches, decayed leaves, &c. ; wash 
those which are infested with the scaly insect, 
using a little soft soap ; wash also any mould from 
the branches. Stir the surface soil a little. If 
frost appear early, remove them into the green- 
house, and place them on the stages in such 
order that when all are in, the general appearance 
may present a pleasing contrast of foliage. This 
will be effected by putting those which have a hand- 
some foliage in a prominent situation. Take care 
to blend light and shade together in the arrange- 
ment of your plants. 

Watering — attend to when it is needed. The 
chrysanthemums will require much at this time to 



152 GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 

assist them in expanding their buds, whilst others 
will demand but little, especially the succulent va- 
rieties. Syringe once a week, choosing fine morn- 
ings for the purpose ; put on a little fire at the 
same time to carry off the damp. 

Air. — As the house will now be full of plants 
which have for several months had the benefit of a 
free circulation of air, let them have as much as 
possible, leaving the sashes open all night if the 
thermometer is at 40° ; but if below that, close 
the house, and admit air early in the morning. 

CONSERVATORY. 
Clear the house of such annuals as have begun 
to decay, retaining only those which are still in 
great perfection, as several plants in flower will 
now be brought in from amongst those in the open 
air. Go over the plants in the borders ; trim 
and tie up such as require it, and remove all dead 
leaves and litter. Water such plants as appear to 
be dry, and examine the border that none be passed 
over. 

Air. — Give as much as possible every day, unless 
there be any cold cutting winds. Leave a little on 
all night when the weather is sufficiently mild. 

Syringe once a week, taking care not to wet the 
flowers. 

FLOWER-HOUSE. 
Prepare the house for the reception of shrubs 



OCTOBER. 



153 



and bulbs for forcing. Take out the old tan and 
fill the pit with new. Wash the rafters, flues, 
shelves, &c, with warm water and soft soap ; this 
will destroy the ova of insects. About the second 
or third week bring in the shrubs, bulbs, &c, to 
force into early flower. Wash such plants as are 
infested with the scaly insect with water and soft 
soap, and syringe such as appear to have the red 
spider with the alkaline extract. 

Syringe the plants with pure water twice a day, 
as directed for March. Pour water on the flues 
the first thing in the morning and the last in the 
evening. 

Air. — Admit a little every mild day, even if the 
sun be clouded, but do it with caution. 

Fire. — Put on just so much as will keep the 
thermometer from 60° to 65°. 

PLANTS COMING INTO FLOWER THIS MONTH. 



Barleria purpurea. 
Brachysema latifolium. 
Gloriosa superba. 
Chrysanthemum sinen- 
sis. 

Dombeya ferruginea. 
Dracaena ferrea, &c. 



Justicia coccinea, bico- 
lor. 

Lilium longiflorum, &c. 
Salvia splendens. 
Thunbergia alata, alata 

alba, fragrans, grandi- 

flora. 



154 GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



BARLERIA PURPUREA. 
Class, Didynamia. Order, Angiospermia. 

Acanthace^e. 
Native of the East Indies, 1814. — Propagation, 
seed, cuttings. 

A plant of easy cultivation, requiring the heat 
of the flower-house. It grows well in any rich 
light soil, and from the freeness of its flowering 
should not be omitted in any collection. 

BRACHYSEMA LATIFOLIUM. 
Class, Decandria. Order, Monogynia. 

Leguminos^:. 
Native of New Holland, 1803. — Propagation, 
seed, cuttings. 

The fine flowers and foliage of this plant render 
it worth the care of every collector. It should be 
kept in the greenhouse all the year. 
Soil. — Peat, with a little cally sand. 

DOMBEYA FERRUGINEA. 
Class, Monadelphia. Order, Dodecandria. 

Byttneriace.e. 
Native of the Mauritius, 1815. — Propagation, 
cuttings. 

A dwarf shrub possessing singular beauty both 
in its flowers and foliage ; it blooms nearly all the 
summer and autumn months, but should have the 
advantage of the flower-house heat. 

Soil. — Peat, with a little cally sand. 



OCTOBER. 



155 



DRACiENA FERREA. 
Class, Hexandria. Order, Monogynia. 

AsPHODELE^. 

Native of China, 1771. — Propagation, suckers. 

This plant is well deserving a place in every col- 
lection on account of the peculiar contrast of fo- 
liage. It grows well in loam, peat, and dung. 



CHRYSANTHEMUM SINENSIS. 
Class, Syngenesia. Order, Superflua. 

Composite. 

Native of China, 1764. — Propagation, seeds, di- 
visions, cuttings. 

This beautiful plant is much valued by the ad- 
mirers of Flora. The season of its blooming, 
which commences in autumn, and continues until 
it is replaced by the camellia, is not its least re- 
commendation, though it is no less esteemed on 
account of its rich and many coloured blossoms, 
which are more particularly striking at a time when 
winter is robbing Flora of so many of her beau- 
ties. The following is my mode of treatment of 
this gay ornament of the greenhouse and conserv- 
atory. 

In March I take a number of short strong suck- 
ers from each variety, I pot them in No. 60, in 
light rich soil, and place them in a gentle heat ; at 
the same time I take off a number of cuttings, 



156 GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 

insert them in pots, and put them in the cutting- 
frame. In about three weeks both they and the 
suckers will be well rooted. The cuttings I put. 
into Xo. 60, one in each pot. 1 then put them in 
a gentle heat until well rooted, when I set them 
with the suckers in a cold frame, protecting them 
from frost. Give them plenty of air, to inure them 
to the open atmosphere. x\s soon as the pots are 
rilled with roots, and before they are matted to the 
sides of them, let them be shifted into the next 
size, using light rich soil as before. Drain the 
pots well. In the early part of May remove them 
to the plant ground, if the weather is not frosty. 
Continue to shift until they are in Xo. 12, using 
loam and dung, equal quantities mixed well to- 
gether and kept six months previous to using it. 
Always drain well at every shifting. 

Water. — This plant requires a great quantity 
of water, and to be sprinkled often over the leaves ; 
in May and early in June I do this in the morning, 
from June to September in the evening. When 
the plants are well established in their pots, in 
which I wish them to bloom, I commence watering 
with dung water, and continue this until I take 
them into the house in October, and in some in- 
stances in November. Those which I desire to 
have in bloom early I remove into the flower- 
house, the next in succession into the greenhouse, 
and for the last bloom I let the plants remain out 



OCTOBER. 



157 



of the house until the frost renders it necessary 
for them to be taken into the house. As they go 
out of blossom, place them in a cold frame, pro- 
tected from the frost, until March. It is the prac- 
tice of some cultivators not to begin propagating 
until May ; but if fine strong bushy plants are re- 
quired, March is the proper time. I obtain fine 
dwarf plants by striking cuttings in the beginning 
of June, and potting them, as soon as they are 
struck, into No. 40 sized pots, in which they re- 
main to blossom. The plants from which these 
cuttings are taken furnish me with a late blooming 
stock. 



JUSTICIA COCCIXEA, ETC. 
Class, Diandria. Order, Monogynia. 

ACANTHACE.E. 

Native of S. America. — Propagation, cuttings. 

A fine plant, requiring the heat of the flower- 
house. It grows well in two parts loam, one part 
peat, one decayed wood, with about one sixth cally 
sand. 

In March I cut down the plant to within two 
inches of the old wood, then give a good watering 
and place it in the warmest part of the flower- 
house. As soon as it begins to grow, I turn it out 
of the old pot, and remove part of the ball. I 
repot it in a pot proportionable to its size, and shift 
as it requires it. It will blossom about this time. 



158 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



When the flowering season is over, place the plant 
in the coldest part of the flower-house, give but 
little water until March, then proceed as before. 



SALVIA SPLENDENS. 
Class, Diandria. Order, Monogynia. 

Labiate. 

Native of Mexico, 1822 — Propagation, cuttings. 

This fine scarlet sage is a great acquisition to the 
conservatory at this season of the year. 

In January, place the old stools in the flower- 
house to make fresh shoots for cuttings ; by Fe- 
bruary these will be sufficiently strong for taking off 
from the plant ; select for the purpose the strongest 
of them, and plant them several in each pot. By 
March they will be ready for potting off into No. 
60, one in each pot, shift as they fill with roots into 
the next size until they are in No. 8 size, in which 
let them remain for blooming. When this pot is 
filled with roots, give the plant a little dung water 
once a week. Should it be desirable to bloom the 
plants in less pots, give dung water as soon as the 
pots in which they are to flower are full of roots. 

Soil.— One part loam, one vegetable soil, one 
dung, with about one sixth part rough sand. 

By following the above directions, fine tall plants 
covered with blossoms will be obtained, but from 
the striking of the cuttings to the blooming of the 
plants, they must be in the flower-house, and when 



OCTOBER. 



159 



in bloom remove them to the conservatory until 
January. Always bear in mind to keep these plants 
free from the red spider and green fly, other- 
wise your hopes of a fine display of bloom will be 
defeated. 



THUNBERGIA ALATA, ALATA ALBA, 
GRANDIFLORA. 
Class, Didynamia. Order, Angiospermia. 

AcANTHACE^. 

Grandiflora, native of the East Indies, 1820; 
alata alba, East Indies, 1823. — Propagation, seed, 
cuttings. 

The alata and alata albiflora grow well in equal 
quantities of loam and dung, (well blended together 
and having laid six months before using,) with a 
little rough sand. Strike cuttings in July ; keep 
them in the flower-house ; early in March shift 
them into the next size pot, repeating this as they 
fill the pot with roots ; nip off the flower-buds as 
they appear, until you wish to remove the plants 
into the conservatory : the pinching off of the bloom 
greatly strengthens the plants, and consequently 
causes a much finer succession of blossom during 
the summer. By continuing the process, a splendid 
show of fine plants in full flower may be produced 
this month. 

These plants may be grown in the open air 
during the summer, if fine old plants be turned 



160 GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



into the borders in June, and the season prove very 
warm. 

If they are placed in the most airy part of the 
flower-house, and regularly syringed, as directed 
for that department, the additional fine appearance 
this will give to the plants will amply repay the 
extra trouble. Observe to keep them trained to 
the wire trellises or stakes, as they grow very fast, 
and are apt to run into confusion if neglected in 
this particular. 

East Indies, 1820.— Thunbergia grandiflora is 
a fine variety. It requires to be shifted, as it fills 
its pot with roots, into the next size pot, until it is 
in No. 1, in which it is to blossom. 

Soil. — Two parts loam, one part leaf soil, with a 
little rough sand. This variety is a fast growing 
plant and requires plenty of room that a free circula- 
tion of air may surround it. 

It requires the heat of the flower-house. 



NOVEMBER. 

CONSERVATORY. 

Heat. — A little fire will be necessary this month, 
but be cautious not to have too much heat. If any 
severe frost should come, then you must use suf- 
ficient to protect the plants from any injury from 
it, but if the weather be open and fine, a gentle 



NOVEMBER. 



161 



fire in the morning once or twice a week will be 
enough. 

Air. — Give as much as you can during the day ; 
close early in the evening, otherwise the plants 
introduced from the flower-house will suffer se- 
verely ; also, keep shut up close whenever there is 
any cutting wind and no sun, but should there be 
sunshine and wind together, then admit air with 
caution. 

Water. — Attend to this, as the plants in the 
borders require it ; do not sodden the soil, either 
in them or the pots, with too much water ; give it 
only as there appears to be necessity for it. Syringe 
occasionally on a fine morning, and put on a fire at 
the same time to carry off the damp, 

GREENHOUSE. 

Heat. — Put on a fire occasionally to carry off 
the damp when the weather is dull ; if frosty, put 
it on every night, but do not begin fires until they 
are actually required. All greenhouse plants look 
much better in the spring when but little fire is made 
during the winter. 

Air. — Give as much as you can every day, and 
close the house the last thing in the evening. 

Water. — As the plants which have been brought 
into the house will be placed thickly together, it is 
necessary to be very cautious not to give those 
plants water which do not require it. Syringe oc- 

M 



162 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



casionally on very fine mornings : this operation is 
of much service to the plants,, it not only cleans 
them of damp, but it assists the absorbent vessels 
in receiving the food requisite for their vigorous 
growth. 

FLOWER-HOUSE. 

Heat. — This will be required every evening : 
observe to have as much fire as will keep the ther- 
mometer from 60° to 65°. 

Air. — Admit a little every day ; on mild days 
freely. x\lways close the house early in the after- 
noon : generally, except in particular cases of fine 
weather, the house should be shut by three o'clock. 

Water. — Daily attention should be paid to this 
branch of the business of the flower-house. Give 
a good supply to all shrubs and bulbs which are 
brought in to force, as well as to those plants which 
are placed over the fire flues. Syringe every morn- 
ing about nine o'clock, and again about three o'clock 
in the afternoon. Pour water upon the flues every 
morning and evening. 

Introduce shrubs and bulbs for succession as 
you may require them for the conservatory. 

PLANTS COMING INTO FLOWER THIS MONTH. 



Acacia Kermisina. 
Crowea Saligna. 
Gesneria oblongata. 



Rhodochiton volubile 
Luculia gratissima. 
Tvlarbelia Baxteri. 



NOVEMBER. 



Muraltia mixta. Poinsettia pulcherrima. 

Passiflora Buonapartea. 

LUCULIA GRATISSIMA. 
Class, Pentandria. Order, Monogynia. 

RuBIACEjE. 

Native of Nepaul. — Propagation, cuttings. 

This charming plant should not be omitted in 
any collection : its fine showy leaves are sufficient 
to recommend it, but its value is greatly enhanced 
by the agreeable fragrancy of its blossoms when in 
flower. It succeeds well in a moist heat and partly 
shaded from the rays of the sun. 

The plants should not be allowed to bloom when 
young ; but in October or November the lead 
should be taken out from each shoot, and if kept 
growing will make fine specimens by the following 
autumn, and blossom in great abundance ; but if 
the plant is permitted to flower when young, it often 
causes it to die. 

Soil. — Sandy turfy peat is the soil in which it 
succeeds well. The pot should be well drained. 

W. MAY, 

Learning Lane. 

MARBELIA BAXTER!. 
Class, Decandria. Order, Monogynia. 

LeGUMINOSjE. 

Native of New Holland. — Propagation, cuttings. 
A pretty trailer, and almost a continual bloomer. 



164 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



It requires to be placed near the glass, but so that 
the frost may not reach it during winter. 

Soil. — Sandy turfy peat : if the peat be void of 
sand add a little cally sand to it. Let the drainage 
be perfect, otherwise the plant will suffer much, and 
perhaps die for want of this attention. 

Water. — Do not saturate it, but keep the earth in 

the pot from being dried through in the summer. 

W. MAY, 

Learning Lane, 



ACACIA KERMISINA. 
Class, Polygamia. Order, Monoecia. 

Leguminosje. 
Propagation, seeds, cuttings. 
This interesting new species cannot fail to please. 
It is in appearance like julibrisia, but the flowers are 
produced more profusely, and are of a fine scarlet 
colour, consequently make a very showy display. 
The border of a conservatory seems to be the most 
suitable situation for this noble and graceful plant. 
Soil. — Equal parts of rich light loam and peat. 

GEO. EDWARDS. 



CROWE A S ALIGN A. 
Class, Decandria. Order, Monogynia. 

Rutaceje. 

Native of New South Wales, 1790. — Propaga- 
tion, cuttings. 



NOVEMBER. 



16.5 



A fine plant, deserving a place in every collection 
on account of its beautiful flowers. It requires the 
greenhouse, and to be kept in all the year and placed 
near the glass. Be cautious of too much water, but 
always allow it sufficient to prevent it from flagging, 
and give the pot a good drainage. 

Soil. — Peat and loam, with a little cally sand. 



GESNERTA OBLONGATA. 
Class, Didynamia. Order, Angiospermia. 
Gesneriej£. 

Native of West Indies, 1840. — Propagation, 
cuttings of young shoots or leaves. 

This handsome species is an almost perpetual 
bloomer, but its prime season is in October, Novem- 
ber, and December. This is one of the best of the 
genus, differing in its appearance from the other 
species in its robust growth ; it attains to the 
height of six feet, having the appearance of a shrub. 
When covered with its fine scarlet flowers, which 
are oblong with an extended corolla, it presents a 
grand appearance. It requires a stove to grow it 
to perfection, but it may be blossomed in a green- 
house during the summer months. 

Soil. — Rich light loam and peat. 

Gr. EDWARDS, 



166 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



RHODOCHITON VOLUBILE, ETC, 

ScROPHULARIN.E. 

A beautiful climber : it succeeds well in pots, 
trained on fancy wire or wicker work. In March, 
I strike cuttings, pot them in Xo. 60 pots, and 
place them in a gentle heat for a short time : as 
soon as they are rooted afresh, I remove them into 
the greenhouse. Early in June, I move them to 
the pot ground: at this time I shift them into No. 
16 pots, and commence training them. These 
plants bloom during the autumn and winter months, 
In June following, I shift them into No. 8, and 
stand them in the pot-ground until I introduce 
them into the conservatory. I continue training 
them as they advance in growth, and cutting off* 
the flowers until I wish them to bloom. The fol- 
lowing springs I plant them out in the flower-gar- 
den, keeping up a supply of young plants as be- 
fore. 

Soil. — Loam and dung, equal parts, with a little 
rough sand, 



MURALTIA MIXTA. 
Class. Diadelphia. Order, Octandria. 

PoLYGALEJE. 

Native of Cape of Good Hope, 1791. — Propa- 
gation, cuttings. 

A pretty plant, which commences flowering this 



NOVEMBER. 



167 



month and continues through the winter. It de- 
serves a place in every collection. 

Soil. — Peat with a little cally sand : it should be 
repotted in March, and treated as a common green- 
house plant, with the exception that in very wet 
weather in summer it should be laid on its side, to 
prevent the ball from becoming soddened with too 
much moisture. 



PASSIFLORA BUOXAPARTEA, ALATA. 

Class, Monadelphia. Order, Pentandria. 
Passiflore.e. 

Native of West Indies. — Propagation, cuttings. 

These fine varieties, with their allies, will bloom 
in pots if they have plenty of pot and trellis room. 
Cuttings require to have one year's growth before 
they bloom freely. In May, the plant must be cut 
down to about six eyes, and repotted : in perform- 
ing this, the greater part of the old ball must be 
shaken from the roots, and the plant repotted in a 
No. 8 size pot, and placed in the flower-house : it 
will require but little water for some time. As soon 
as the pot is full of roots, water with dung-water 
once a week. 

Soil. — Two parts strong loam, and one part 
dung, with a little rough sand. These varieties 
will bloom this month and the next, but if desired 
to flower earlier, the repotting must take place 



168 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



earlier in the spring. When done flowering, place 
the plants under the greenhouse stage : they will 
require no farther care until you wish them to 
commence growing ; the water they will receive 
when the plants on the stage are watered, will be 
sufficient for them while they remain in the green- 
house. 



POINSETTIA PULCHERRIMA. 

EuPHORBIACEiE. 

Native of Mexico. — Propagation, cuttings and 

eyes. 

A fine showy plant, having its brilliant scarlet 
bracts as its chief characteristic. It requires to 
be cut down in March to two or more eyes, ac- 
cording to the strength of the stock. Shake off all 
the soil from the roots, and repot in pots propor- 
tionate to the size of the plant ; shift as it fills its 
pot with roots until it is in No. 16, if it is of 
vigorous growth. When potted, place it in the 
bark bed of the flower-house, or in a cucumber 
frame, until June, when it maybe removed into the 
greenhouse. Having a number of plants, some of 
them may be taken into the flower-house in Sep- 
tember, others in October and November ; those 
in the flower-house will blossom in August, and 
the others in succession until January. 

Soil. — Three parts good yellow loam, one part 
dung, and one rough sand. 



DECEMBER. 



169 



As soon as the bracts are fully developed, re- 
move the plants to the warmest part of the con- 
servatory, where let them remain until the beauty 
is over, when place them on the back shelves of 
the flower-house, giving but little water. 



DECEMBER. 

CONSERVATORY. 

As this is one of the most gloomy months of the 
year, it is necessary to keep the house free from 
damp, by giving fire-heat occasionally during the 
day ; but at the same time give an abundance of 
air. On the appearance of frost, keep sufficient heat 
to have the thermometer from 45° to 50°. A little 
fire will be requisite every night to preserve the 
plants from the flower-house from any injurious 
effects of change of atmosphere. Keep the plants 
free from insects by using every means for their 
destruction. 

Water. — This element will be occasionally 
wanted. Look to the borders near the pipes or 
flues, and give them gentle waterings when dry. 
Give water in small quantities, also, to the plants in 
pots, but as much as will go quite through the 
balls. 

Air. — Admit a little every day, unless the 
weather is very dull and cold, when it should be 



170 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



excluded by keeping the house closed. Occasion- 
ally syringe the plants. 

GREENHOUSE. 

Heat. — Keep this house as cool as possible; 
but when the weather is damp for several days to- 
gether, then put on a fire in the morning occasion- 
ally, nor will it be necessary to have fire in the 
evening, except there is a likelihood of frost, and 
then put on only sufficient to prevent the plants 
from receiving injury, for, when plants are drawn 
up, by too much heat at this season, they present 
a sickly appearance in the spring, which above all 
things is to be avoided. 

Air. — Give as much as possible every day, only 
excluding cold cutting winds. 

Water. — Use this element with caution, for if it 
be given too freely it excites the plants in too great 
a degree, which is detrimental to their growing and 
flowering in strength at the spring season. Oc- 
casionally syringe them on very fine mornings ; it 
is of benefit to the plants, by keeping them free 
from dust, and it greatly refreshes them. 

FLOWER-HOUSE. 

Keep the bark beds in a lively heat by fork- 
ing them up once a month. Introduce plants for 
successional bloom. See the respective kinds 
noticed for this purpose. 



DECEMBER, 



171 



Heat. — This must be from 60° to 65°, being 
guided by the state of the external air. 

Air. — Admit all you can with safety, as the 
roses, if drawn up, will flower weakly : a little 
may be given every day if the weather be not dull, 
and there is no cold cutting wind direct upon the 
glass. On fine days admit air early, but close early 
in the afternoon. 

Water. — Much attention is necessary in this 
respect. Pour a good supply upon the flues soon 
in the morning, and when the fire is made up for the 
night, give a good watering to all the plants intro- 
duced for flowering early. Syringe twice a day, 
about nine in the morning and three in the afternoon. 

PLANTS COMING INTO ELOWER. 

Billbergia pyramidalis. Justicia speciosa. 

Calceolaria bicolor. Phylica spicata. 

Citrus.— Orange. Reseda odorata. 

Epiphyllum truncatum. Ruellia formosa. 

Eranthemum pulchel- Salvia polystachya. 

lum. Struthiola erecta, 

Erythrina Crista Galli. Viola. 
Euphorbia fulgens. 



BILLBERGIA PYRAMIDALIS. 
Class, Hexandria. Order, Monogynia, 

Bromeliace^e. 
Native of Rio Janerio, 1817. — Propagation, 
suckers. 



172 GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 

A noble plant, it flowers freely when treated as 
under : suckers are removed from the parent plant 
in December, at which time it flowers, when it is 
placed in the conservatory. The suckers are to be 
planted in No. 48 pots, and plunged in the bark- 
bed ; as they fill their pots with roots, they are to 
be shifted into the next size pots, until they are in 
large No. 24, in which pots they flower : the last 
shifting ought to be in June. 

Soil. — Two parts light turfy loam or decom- 
posed dung, with a portion of rough sand ; the pot 
to be well drained. 

Water. — Give freely from April to August; 
then withhold it altogether for two months, and 
afterwards let it have a good supply. The flower 
stems soon appear, and when in flower, it should 
occupy the warmest part of the conservatory. 



CALCEOLARIA BICOLOR. 
Class, Diandria. Order, Monogynia. 

ScROPHULARINiE. 

Native of Peru, 1829. — Propagation, cuttings, 
seeds. 

It is a pity this plant should be so much neg- 
lected : its fine foliage contrasted with its flowers 
render it a pleasing ornament to the conservatory 
during the months of November and December. 
Strike cuttings in May ; pot them in No. 48, and 
continue to shift and tie them to stakes as they ad- 



DECEMBER. 



173 



vance in growth. Let them receive their last shift- 
ing in August, either in No. 12 or 8 pots; keep them 
tied up as they increase in growth, and cut off the 
flowers as they appear, until September, at which 
time allow them to commence blooming, and in 
November they will present a fine show. Keep 
them as near the glass as possible, as the time they 
continue in blossom will greatly depend upon that. 



CITRUS. THE ORANGE. 

Class, Polyadelphia. Order, Polyandria. 

AuRANTIACEJE. 

Propagation, seeds, cuttings, inarching, graft- 
ing. 

This is a genus of great importance, inasmuch as 
it is one of the many imported fruits which are 
now attainable by every class of persons. Its 
peculiar attraction as an exotic arises from the 
pleasure it affords the grower in witnessing the 
different stages of the fruit growing at the same 
time on the tree, part of it being green and part in 
a state of maturity ; added to which is the singular 
circumstance of its bearing its blossoms for a suc- 
cession of fruit while the fruit is growing and 
ripening. By commencing a regular heat from 55° 
to 60°, oranges have been procured for the table 
superior to those which are imported. But as it is 
not every mansion that has the accommodation of 



174 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



a house for an orangery, I shall not give any di- 
rections for the growth of the orange as a fruit for 
the table, but confine myself to the treatment of 
the cultivation of them in pots or tubs. 

The usual mode of raising young plants from 
seed, and inarching upon them any kind you may 
wish, is the best one I can recommend ; but if it 
is not practicable, you may engraft them, placing 
them, when the operation is performed, in a heat 
of 60° or upwards. The safest method of engraft- 
ing is the whip or tongue grafting, which is per- 
formed by first cutting off the head at the height 
desired, then cutting the stock in a slanting di- 
rection, commencing about an inch below the top 
of the stock ; draw the knife upwards, so that the 
crown of the stock is cut in two ; cut a tongue in 
the stock downwards, and make the tongue in the 
scion ; after it is cut in like manner to correspond 
with the tongue in the stock, then insert the scion, 
and tie them together tight with bass, and cover it 
round with damp moss, or any thing that will ex- 
clude the air from the engrafted parts. Grow them 
quickly for two or three years by placing them in 
a vinery, or any house of equal heat most con- 
venient. 

Treatment when established in pots or tubs. — 
They require a south aspect, with abundance of air 
at all times. When grown for ornament alone, 
they should have plenty of pot or tub room with 



DECEMBER. 



175 



good drainage. At Longleat, the seat of the Mar- 
quis of Bath, they flourish amazingly under the 
following treatment, communicated by Mr. March. 

SIR, 

According to your request, I forward to you the 
treatment of the Citron tribe as practised at this 
place. 

Time of potting, March or April, as circum- 
stances admit ; at which time we remove a portion 
of the old soil and set the matted roots at liberty. 
Give such plants as are in a good healthy condition 
a shift into a larger pot or tub. When any assume 
a sickly appearance, we pot in a smaller pot, and 
they soon recover. 

Water. — This is given with a sparing hand 
until they have filled the new soil pretty well with 
roots, at which time it is given more liberally. 
Syringe twice a day when the weather is fine ; this 
gives them a fine green foliage. 

We expose them to the open air in a sheltered 
situation for about six weeks in the most settled 
part of summer. 

A top dressing of sheep's dung, when taken in, 
is of much benefit to this genus. 

Observe to keep the trees free from insects ; it 
will demand constant attention to effect this. A 
mixture of the alkaline extract is a good pre- 
ventive. 



176 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



EPIPHYLLOI TBUNCATDM. 

Class. Icosandria. Order, Monogynia. 

Opuntiace.e. 

Native of Brazil, 1818. — Propagation, cuttings 
and grafting. 

A charming plant : it requires a stove to flower 
it during the winter months : it will live in a warm 
greenhouse, if kept moderately dry during the win- 
ter. We generally see this plant upon its own 
bottom, but. to have it in its greatest perfection, it 
should be grafted upon the pereskia aculeata, or 
upon the strong growing kinds of cactus ; I prefer 
the pereskia. The spring is the most proper time 
for the operation, and any one accustomed to en- 
grafting will be able to succeed. First, the pe- 
reskias must be strong plants of two years' growth 
from cuttings. Cut the stem off the stock in a 
sloping direction, and make a slit downwards with 
a sharp knife ; select a narrow part of the scion, 
and pare the sides to correspond with the thickness 
of the stock, then cut the stock in a slanting di- 
rection, and make the tongue to correspond with 
the down cut in the scion, insert the scion, and 
tie them tight together with bass, and cover all 
over with moss, binding it firmly to the grafted 
part. Remove the moss in about six weeks, but 
leave the bass a short time longer. 

The soil in which the plant delights is good 
yellow loam, the turfy part, one year old: add to 



1 1 : 1 : 3 1 1. • 



this a portion of old decomposed dung with a little 
rough sand. I give the plants a shifting every 
year, and always remove two-thirds of the old soil 
as soon as the pots are rilled with roots. It re- 
quires a good supply of water until it flowers, at 
which time it is removed into the conservatory, 
when it only receives a moderate supply. This 
gives the plant a season of rest from December to 
March, at which time it is removed from the con- 
servatory, reshifted, and placed in the flower-house, 
as near the glass as possible. 



F.RANTHE3IUM PULCHEILUM. 
Class, Diandria. dir. Mosogysia. 

ACAXTHACE.£. 

Native of East Indies. — Propagation, cuttings. 

This fine blue flowering species is particularly 
deserving of a place in every collection, for its dur- 
ability in blooming. For its propagation it is only 
requisite to strike cuttings early in the spring, and 
they will attain sufficient growth to blossom freely 
in the autumn months, at which time remove them 
to the conservatory. Cut down the old plant at 
three different times during the year, shake them 
at and repot at the same time ; a succession of 
bloom will be the result. 

S Drx. — Peat, loam, and leaf soil, equal quantities 
Let the pot have a good drainage. A good supply 



178 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



of water, with a stove heat when growing, is requi- 
site for its successful cultivation. 



ERYTHRINA, CRISTA GALLI. 
Class, Diadelphia. Order, Decandria, 

LEGUMINOSiE. 

Native of Brazil. — Propagation, cuttings. 

This is a very showy species, and is so hardy as 
to live in the open air against a south wall, pro- 
viding the wet is not allowed to enter the ground 
in which it is planted during the winter. But it is 
a noble object in a conservatory, particularly when 
it commences flowering in the dull month of De- 
cember, which it will do, and continue in bloom 
until February, if treated as follows : — When the 
roots are removed out of their winter quarters, for 
which a cellar, loft, or shed is appropriated, place 
them on the north side of a wall, laying the pots on 
their sides ; let them remain in that situation until 
August, at which time turn them out of their pots^ 
shake part of the soil from their roots, and repot 
them ; place them in a heat of about 55°, if a dung 
heat the better ; give air during the day, attend to 
watering and sprinkling them, and they will pro- 
duce a fine display of blossom in this month. 

For a succession, take a number of pots, intro- 
duce them into the flower-house or an early forcing 
vinery in January, they will commence blooming 
in March, and continue until June. Those in- 



DECEMBER. 



179 



tended for blossom in the following months will 
require only the greenhouse. It is advisable to 
have not less than six plants at the respective 
seasons of growth, to keep up a succession of plants 
in flower. 

Soil. — It succeeds well in turfy loam two parts, 
decomposed dung one part, and a portion of rough 
sand. The drainage must be complete. 

Season of repotting. — This must be in the 
months of August, January, and May, at which 
time you introduce them into their respective 
situations as directed above. Full sized plants will 
require No. 8 pots, others in proportion to their 
growth. 

Water. — From the time of their commencing 
growth give a good supply, increasing it as they 
fill their pots with roots, and gradually diminishing 
it as the flowers decay ; and when the leaves begin 
to turn yellow and fall off, give no more, but re- 
move the plants into a cool dry situation protected 
from the frost. 



EUPHORBIA FULGENS. JAQUINSLZEFLORA. 

Class, Dodecandria. Order, Trigynia. 

ElJPHORBIACEiE. 

Native of France, 1826. — Propagation, cuttings. 

Plants of great beauty, their small scarlet 
flowers being produced in great abundance ; they 
are of easy culture, grow freely in rich light soil, 

n 2 



180 GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



and require the stove. I place them in the conserva- 
tory for about one month when in flower, and then 
remove them into the flower-house, keeping them 
dry from January to March, at which time I shake 
all the soil from the roots, repot them in pots pro- 
portionate to the size of the plants, and give a good 
watering. I previously cut down the plant, leaving 
about half an inch of young wood. They strike 
freely from cuttings placed in the stove. 



JUSTICIA SPECIOSA. 
Class, Diandria. Order, Monogynia* 

AcANTHACE^. 

Native of the East Indies, 1826. — Propagation, 
cuttings. 

A fine showy stove plant, increased by cuttings, 
which must be struck early in spring, and kept in 
the flower-house all the summer ; they will flower 
in great perfection in November and December the 
same year. The old plant, cut down in the spring, 
shaken partly out of the soil, and repotted, will 
also blossom remarkably well. Observe to pot the 
cuttings and keep them shifted into large pots as 
they fill their pots with roots : the same rule ap- 
plies to the old plants. 

Soil. — Good strong turfy loam and vegetable 
soil, equal quantities. 

Water, — Give a good supply of water when the 



DECEMBER. 



.31 



plants are growing vigorously, but allow them a 
season of rest after flowering. 

PHYLICA SPICATA. 
Class, PentanDria. Order, Monogynia. 
Rhamxe.e. 

Native of the Cape of Good Hope, 1774. — Pro- 
pagation, cuttings. 

This plant, like its allies, flourishes the most 
when exposed to the light and air. A free circula- 
tion round the plant is of benefit to it ; this is an 
advantage which all the heath-like plants should 
have, as they in their natural state grow in open 
situations, and not as here where there is more 
shade than light and air. These families have, in 
some measure, sunk into disrepute ; but give them 
the benefits above, with perfect drainage to carry 
off the superfluous moisture, and a moderate sup- 
ply of water, with as cool a house as you can with 
safety during winter, and they will amply repay you 
for the care bestowed on them. 



RESEDA ODOR AT A. MIGNIOXETTE. 

Class, Dodecaxdria. Order, Trigyxia. 

ReSEDACEjE. 

Native of Egypt, 1752. — Propagation, seeds. 

Two sowings of this fragrant plant are requisite 
for a supply for the several months of the year. 
1 am aware that plants raised in May will continue 



182 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



to flower for eighteen months ; but it is not every 
one that has a situation so near the glass as to do 
this, therefore I shall confine myself to two sowings 
for the year: the first to be in June for a supply 
from August to January, and the second on the 
first of August for the supply for the remaining 
months. The soil should be light and rich, with a 
portion of rough sand, and some decomposed horse 
dung at the bottom of the pot. Protect the young 
plants from heavy rain 3 as that is injurious to them, 
In October place the pots on shelves near to the 
glass, and remove them to the conservatory, one or 
two at a time, as requisite ; give a moderate supply 
of water. If the above treatment be pursued, 
bearing in mind that a circulation of air, and as 
much light as possible, are necessary for its success, 
you will have plenty of fine plants. 

RUELLIA FORMOSA. 
Class, Did yx a mia. Order, Axoiospermia. 

A C AX T H AC E .E . 

Native of Brazil, 1808. —Propagation, cuttings, 
seed. 

A handsome scarlet stove plant, but may yet be 
occasionally removed into the conservatory when in 
bloom ; it is but of short duration, but the blossoms 
are produced in succession in abundance. It is re- 
quisite, to flower this plant in December, to have 
strong grown plants which were cuttings in the 



DECEMBER. 



183 



spring, place them in the warmest part of the stove, 
near the glass. For flowering during the summer, 
cuttings must be struck in the autumn ; by this 
means successional bloom is obtained. 

Soil. — Leaf-mould, loam, and peat, with a por- 
tion of rough sand. 

SALVIA POLYSTACHYA. 
Class, Diandria. Order, Monogynia. 

Labiatje. 

Native of Mexico, 1822. — Propagation, cuttings. 

This is a much neglected species. Its fine blue 
spikes, which are produced in abundance, form a 
pleasing contrast at this season of the year, and the 
little care required to keep it in a flowering state 
may probably be a cause of its neglect. No- 
thing more is necessary for its preservation than 
to protect it from the frost. Strike cuttings 
and pot them in strong loam. Grow them in this 
and they will bloom for several successive years 
without repotting. Give a watering of manure 
water about twice during the summer months, to 
enrich the soil in the pot. Cut the plants down 
when they are placed out of the greenhouse in 
May. 

Water,— A moderate supply all the year. 



184 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



STRUTHIOLA ERECTA. 
Class, Tetrandrla. Order, Monogynia. 

Thymalacje. 
Native of the Cape of Good Hope, 1798. — Pro- 
pagation, cuttings. 

A pretty plant, like most of those from this part 
of the globe ; it requires as much light and air as 
possible^ and when a fine bushy plant is the object, 
pinch out the leads of the shoots as they attain a 
proper length. 

Soil.— Peat, which is of a turfy nature and con- 
taining a portion of cally sand. Give a good 
drainage. 

Water. — A moderate supply, but always keep 
the ball from being dried through. 



VIOLA. 

Class, Pentandria. Order, Monogynia. 
Violane^e. 

Propagation, seeds, division^ and cuttings. 

The Neapolitan and Russian violet raised from 
cuttings in March, pot off into No. 60 sized pots 
as soon as struck root, and place them in a gentle 
dung heat ; gradually inure them to the open air* 
Plant them out in June into a bed of rich soil, and 
give them a liberal supply of water when the 
weather is dry. Early in August, lift and pot them 
into No. 32 size ; give them a liberal watering and 



DECEMBER. 



185 



place them in the shade. When recovered from the 
effects of potting, expose them, by degrees, to the 
sun's rays. In October, plunge the pots up to their 
rims in ashes in a cold frame, as near the glass as 
possible, and put on the lights so as to protect them 
from heavy rains and severe frosts. At other 
times draw off the lights or give air, being guided 
by the weather. In severe frosty weather cover up 
with mats. 

Soil. — Two parts of good turfy loam, one of 
fine bone-dust. Use this compost at every 
potting. 

These will produce flowers at Christmas. 



ORCHIDACEiE. 



This is a most elegant and engaging class of 
plants, possessing every attraction to occupy the 
attention of the botanist, and to excite the ad- 
miration of every one having the least taste for the 
pursuits of Flora; affording also abundance of 
matter to the contemplative mind for expatiating 
on the beauties and endless varieties of nature pre- 
sented to us in each department of her wonderful 
works, tending to show that 

44 All nature is a glass reflecting God, 
As, by the sea, reflected is the sun, 
Too glorious to be gazed on in his sphere." 

Here we find vegetation producing an offspring 
bearing a striking resemblance to quadrupeds, 
birds, and insects. Well might the inspired 
Psalmist cry out, " O Lord, how manifold are thy 
works ; in wisdom hast thou made them all. The 
earth is full of thy riches." 

The orchidaceae are natives of the tropical re- 
gions, with the exception of a few which are found 
in more temperate climes. But those noticed in 
this work being chiefly from the warmer parts of 



ORCHID AC E;£ s 



187 



the g-lobe, a few observations on their climate and 
situation cannot be unacceptable to the cultivator. 

They are natives of those regions where vegeta- 
tion is subject to the same changes as our own 
island, but produced by quite different principles, 
those of drought and excessive heat. They are 
visited by hot winds, which are known by the ap- 
pellation of dry monsoons ; these penetrate through 
the thickest forests, dealing devastation and drought 
to every thing around. At their commencement 
vegetation gradually diminishes ; the trees lose 
their leaves, herbage lies dormant in the earth. 
Orchidaceae hang their drooping heads, and all ap- 
pears desolate and bare. Many of the birds mi- 
grate to other climes to find shelter from these 
scorching winds. When all vegetation thus seems 
completely dried up, and the country presents no- 
thing but a dreary prospect, similar to that caused 
by the ravages of our severe frosts, suddenly the 
wet monsoons commence and usher in the lovely 
spring. Vegetation lies no longer dormant, but 
bursts into action, and in a few days every tree 
puts on its hue of lively green, and the renovated 
herbage sends forth its rich perfume. Orchidea 
puts forth, and is clad in all its charms, producing its 
flowers in great abundance ; and now the birds re- 
turn to welcome this enchanting change, and spring 
again resumes her reign, where all so late was de- 
solation. Our readers need not be told that the 



188 GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



description of plants we are now treating of re- 
quire a season of rest : the nearer, therefore, with 
respect to this particular and their reaction, we can 
approach nature, the greater will be our success in 
the cultivation of the plant. 

Let it be remembered that the orchidese are 
found in the thickest woods, as well as upon soli- 
tary trees, where the direct rays of the sun never 
shine ; it will therefore be useless to add that a 
moderate degree of shade will be indispensably ne- 
cessary for their arriving at perfection, even in this 
more northerly clime. In many parts, the night 
dews fall very heavily, which, in some measure, ac- 
counts for the existence of numerous plants at- 
tached to trees, and deriving little or no support 
from them, they being supported and fed by their 
absorbent powers attracting moisture or succour 
from the surrounding atmosphere. Hence the 
necessity of moist air being kept up, when they are 
in a vigorous growing state ; and more particularly 
so when suspended from the roof of the house. 
Owing to the too generally received opinion, that 
this beautiful family of plants are difficult of culti- 
vation, they are as yet confined to a few collections; 
but it is to be hoped that before long they will 
grace our common hothouses, as the gesnerias 
now do. Having this view, I have obtained the 
assistance of several friends, eminent for their cul- 
tivation of orchideous plants, and whose practical 



ORCHIDACE.E. 



189 



observations I feel proud in laying before my 
readers, commencing with that of Mr. T. Edgerley. 



SIR, 

In compliance with your request, I have com- 
menced a selection of the best varieties in cultiva- 
tion. We have 700 varieties in this place. It is 
generally believed that this noble family is difficult 
to cultivate in our common plant stoves ; but in 
this respect I beg leave to state that I have seen 
these plants cultivated in a pine stove, in a manner 
far superior to that in which they are cultivated by 
many persons who have a house appropriated solely 
for them. It is commonly supposed that they re- 
quire a very great degree of heat; most cultivators 
give much more than I do ; I rarely keep above 65° 
fire heat, considering a higher temperature un- 
necessary, and I can affirm that the plants are in 
vigorous health, and looking much better than many 
which I am accustomed to see, growing in that de- 
gree of heat which most cultivators deem necessary 
for them. Having this in view, I shall draw up 
whatever I send for insertion in your work, in a 
way best adapted to each genus. I wish to observe 
that the same treatment, in most instances, will be 
found adapted to the whole genus : when, however, 
any species requires a different treatment I will 
point that out. 

Moisture. — Orchideous plants delight in a hu- 



190 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



mid atmosphere, particularly during the hot sum- 
mer months : this is easily managed by pouring 
water on the paths and flues several times in the 
day. and by placing pans containing water upon the 
flues or the stage during the time the plants are in 
their most vigorous growth. 

Shade.- — It will be necessary to shade for a few 
hours during the hottest days of summer. This 
may be effected by means of a thin net similar to 
that used to protect peach trees in the spring. It 
would be the readiest and most convenient way to 
accomplish the purpose in view, if the net were 
secured in a case on a roller at the top of the roof, 
and so fitted as to be drawn up and down by ropes 
and pulleys : by this means protection could be af- 
forded from wet, and the whole could be removed 
during the winter months. 

Potting. — For potting I use shallow pots similar 
tc the figure here described : 




so that I can either suspend them, or have them on 
the stage at pleasure. They are perforated, as re- 
presented by the dots and by stripes cut out in the 
manner shewn in the above patterns. All of the 
orchidean family are much benefited with a free 
drainage ; in most cases it is advisable to invert a 
small pot over the hole of the large one. and to fill 



ORCHLDACEiE. 



191 



at least to the inverted pot with potsherds, putting 
the larger ones at the bottom and the smaller ones 
at the top : this allows the warm moist vapours to 
ascend amongst the roots, which are very beneficial 
to the plants. Pot the plant above the rim of the 
pot ; the larger the plant the greater elevation it 
will require. The same treatment applies to plants 
grown in baskets ; and it would be an advantage in 
the appearance, if the baskets were made of different 
ornamental figures, as they are suspended from the 
roof of the house. 

When grown upon wood, select logs which are 
soft wooded or half decayed, or of very rough 
cracked bark ; the more excrescence the better. 
Place the plants firmly in the wood by lashing it to 
it with thin metallic wire, fastening it with a few 
tin tacks. If the plant be large, put a little turfy 
peat among the roots, and cover them with hypnum 
moss, gathered from the trunks of trees in moist 
thick woods. Examine it minutely, and remove 
all small snails from it, as they are very destructive 
to the roots of these plants. In order to cause the 
moss to adhere to the roots of the plants, take a 
little strong loam or clay, mix it with water to the 
consistency of paint ; dip the rooty part of the 
moss slightly in this, lay it on the roots of the plant, 
and you will find it will adhere sufficiently both to 
them and the wood without tying, and if neatly 
done, the moss will appear as if it had grown there 



192 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



for years. Keep the moss moist, and the roots 
will run freely amongst it. 

T. EDGERLEY. 



ORCHIDEiE. 
Class, Gynandria. Order, Monandria. 

Brassia candata — Jamaica — 1823 — Division. 

A most curious species,, with large bright green 
flowers spotted with deep purple ; its long sepals 
give it a very curious appearance. 

lanceana — Surinam — 1833 — Feb.— Division. 

Yellow flowers, spotted with red ; fragrance 
resembling cowslips ; a beautiful species. 
— maculata — Jamaica — 1806 — June and July — 
Division. 

Pale green flowers, much spotted with pur« 
plish red. 

macrostachya — Surinam — 1838 — Division. 

This species resembles Brassia candata, but 
the flowers are smaller, greener, and much more 

spotted. 

verrucosa — Mexico — 1839 — April — Divis. 

Clear greenish yellow flowers, with lip cu- 
riously covered over the lower petals, with warts 
of a green colour. 

Henchmannii — Demerara — 1836. 

The above genus are all well worth growing, 
they being a good select collection. They de- 
light mostly in pot culture, and grow freely in 



ORCHIDACI M. 



fibry peat, intermixed with a large portion of sand 
and potsherds ; should the peat have much sphag- 
num mixed with it, so much the better : they like a 
moist house, where there is not too excessive heat. 
Give water plentifully, and keep them shaded from 
the heat of the sun, otherwise they will change to 
a yellow sickly hue. When they have perfected 
their growth, diminish both moisture and heat. 
Give them a season of rest ; but withhold not 
water from them altogether, as is recommended for 
some of the wonderful Orchideae tribe. 



Class, Gyxaxdria. Order, Monandria. 

Broughtonia sanguinea — Jamaica — 1793 — All sum- 
mer — Division. 

Its flowers are a beautiful carmine, and it is 
worthy a place with the best collections. 

nitida — Division. 

aurea — Mexico — 1838 — Division. 

Its flowers are yellow, and larger than those 
of sanguinea. 

This genus succeeds best on logs of wood, strew- 
ing about their roots some light peat, and taking 
care to have them well covered with green moss 
collected from the trees in thick woods. When 
growing, give them plenty of water, and but little 
when they are at rest. They delight to grow in a 
moist but not in too excessive heat. When sus- 



194 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



pended from the roof of the house, they flower 
very freely. 

Class, Gynandria. Order, Monandria. 

Burlingtonia Candida — Demerara — 1 834— April. 
Its flower is a delicate white ; a beautiful spe- 
cies. 

— rigida— Brazil— 1840. 

Large white flowers, drooping, and delicately 
tinged with pink. 

— maculata — Brazil — 1837 — May. 

Its flowers are yellow, shaded with orange and 
spotted with red. 

To cultivate this tribe, it is advisable to tie them 
to a block of w r ood, and to suspend them from the 
roof of the house, as is recommended for the last 
mentioned genus, giving water plentifully when in 
a growing state, but very little when at rest. Take 
care to shade them from the powerful rays of the 
sun, or they will assume a sickly appearance, 

Class, Gynandria. Order, Monandria. 

Bletia Shepperdii — Jamaica — 1833 — Jan. — Divis. 

Verecunda — Jamaica — 1832 — Jan. — Divis. 

Hyacinthiana — China — 1839 — March to July 

— Division. 

pallida— West Indies— 1820— Feb. — Divis. 

The above genus, with many others,, flourish in 
tufty sandy peat, with a portion of potsherds and 



ORCHIDACE.E. 



195 



sandy loam, The pots must be well drained. 
They require a large supply of water when grow- 
ing, which must be gradually diminished when they 
have perfected their growth. When dormant they 
need but very little water, and are benefited if 
placed upon a dry shelf. 

Tankwillia — China — 1778 — March to April — Divis. 

The Tankwillia although a species of the Bletia 
tribe, requires a quite different soil. It flourishes 
well in one part of decomposed horse droppings, 
one part of good yellow loam, and one part peat, 
with a little rough sand. 



Class, Gynandria. Order, Monandria. 

Brasavola cordata — Rio Janeiro — 1831 — January 
— Division. 

glauca — Mexico — 1837 — January — -Di- 
vision. 

grandiflora — Division. 

Glauca and grandiflora are decidedly the two best 
species of this genus ; these thrive best in baskets, 
or upon blocks of wood. When grown in baskets 
plant them in open light peat and potsherds ; when 
peat cannot be procured, use chopped sphagnum, 
mixed with a little white sand. If grown upon 
blocks of wood, secure a portion of moss to their 
roots, and fasten the plants with copper wire ; they 
should have an abundant supply of water when in a 



196 GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



growing state, which must be gradually diminished 
when the plants have attained their perfect growth. 
Allow them a season of rest, and during that time a 
little water only should be given. 

Class, Gynandria. Order, Monandria. 

Calanthe Veratrifolia — West Indies — 1819 — Divis. 
White flowers upon an erect stem, three feet 

high ; very fine. 
— — demiflora — Sylhet Mountains — 1834 — Oct. 

— Division. 

Flowers a deep yellow, upon a short erect 
stem. 

These plants grow best in equal parts of sandy 
loam, leaf earth, and sandy peat, w^ith a slight por- 
tion of sand not too fine, but left in pieces near an 
inch square, give plenty of drainage. They grow 
well in any common stove. Give plenty of water 
whilst growing. 

Class, Gynandria. Order, Moxandria. 

Catasetum cristatum— Brazil — 1823 — Division. 
Greenish flowers slightly spotted, lip white 
and singularly erected. 

■ Claveringii — Brazil — 1 822 — Division. 

Large green sepals, petals yellow, lip purple 
and mottled with dark red. 

. rosea Alba or monocanthus — Para — Aug. 

— Division. 

Flowers white, lip tipped and streaked with red. 



ORCHIDACE.E. 



197 



Catasetum floribundum — Trinidad — 1824 — Nov. 
— Division. 

Flowers yellow and brown. 

« spinosum or myanthus — Brazil — 1838 — Aug, 

— Division. 

Much like myanthus barbatis, but brighter. 

simiapertum — Brazil — 1834 — Feb. — Divis, 

Flowers greenish yellow ; a fine species, very 
fragrant. 

= — — tridentatum— Brazil — 1830 — Sept. — Divis. 
Flowers yellow and brown ; a variable species 
in size, and marks on the flowers. 

luridum — Rio Janeiro — 1832 — Sept. — Divis. 

Green and yellow flowers, spotted inside with 
deep purple, 

trifidum — Trinidad — 1 832 — May — Division. 

Flowers a lurid green, spotted with purple. 

and a loose drooping spike. 
maculatum — New Grenada — 1836 — July — 

Division. 

Sepals and petals green, spotted with purple ; 
lip similar. 

■ striatum — Brazil — 1837 — Division. 

Sepals spotted with green and tinged with red 
inside, petals a pale green spotted with red, lip 
white and slightly spotted : a beautiful species. 

poriferum — Demerara — 1 838 — Division. 

Flowers green, spotted with rich purple ; lip 
dull green. 



198 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



Catasetums grow well in a warm moist stove, 
potted in peat earth having plenty of fibres in it, 
and mixed with sphagnum chopped fine. Fine 
light brown peat is far the best, providing it has 
plenty of sphagnum in it, and fibry roots of heath 
intermixed with a portion of white sand. Give an 
abundance of water when growing, gradually di- 
minishing it : when they have perfected their 
growth, keep them quite dry during their season of 
rest. 



Class, Gynandria. Order, Monandria. 

Cattleya guttata — Brazil — 1 830 — Division. 

Sepals green, spotted with red ; petals white ; 
lip a beautiful purplish red. 
— crispa — Rio Janeiro — 1826 — Division. 

A splendid species, with large flowers ; sepals 
and petals white^ beautifully crisped round the 
edges ; lip white, and handsomely marked in the 
centre with a beautiful crimson purple. 
> Forbesii — Rio Janeiro — 1823— Division. 

Sepals and petals yellow; lip pale yellow, 
faintly spotted with red. 

labiata — Brazil — 1818 — October — Division. 

A most splendid species : flowers large ; sepals 
and petals of the most delicate lilac ; lip beauti- 
fully shaded, and veined with the most elegant 
crimson, impossible to describe. 



ORCHID AC E^E. 



199 



Cattleya Loddigesii— S. America — 1815— July and 

August — Division. 

A beautiful species, of an inimitable purple 

rose colour. 

elatior — Brazil — 1827 — Division. 

Skinneri— Guatemala— 1840 — A new species 

— Division. 

A splendid species, with crimson flowers. 
• intermedia — Rio Janeiro — 1824 — J une -— 

Division. 

Delicate white flowers, resembling Forbesii in 
habit, &c. 

Perinii — Brazil — Division. 

A beautiful species, not unlike labiata in 
growth. Sepals and petals a pretty lilac ; lip 
white, handsomely margined ; fine large crimson 
flowers. 

pumilla — Essequibo — 1837 — Division. 

Rich rose purple flowers ; lip large, and of a 
deep purple. 

bicolor — Brazil — 1837 — August — Division. 

Sepals and petals a dull olive green spotted 
with brown ; lip a deep violet crimson. 

Mossiae — La Guayra — 1836 — April — Di- 
vision. 

Sepals and petals a beautiful delicate lilac ; lip 
rather paler, spotted and elegantly veined with 
brilliant crimson. 



200 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



Cattleya superba — Guiana — 1 836 — Division. 

From the richness of its flowers, it is in point 
of beauty inferior to none. 

■ Aclandii — Brazil — 1 8 39 — July — Division . 

Sepals and petals green, spotted with dark 
purplish red ; lip a fine purple ; a new spe- 
cies. 

The Cattleya is undoubtedly the finest genus of 
Orchideas. They require a warm moist stove, and 
may be placed in the most sunny part of the house, 
taking care to shade them from the sun's most 
scorching rays during the summer months. They 
grow freely in fibry peat^ with plenty of sphagnum 
mixed with it ; if sphagnum should not be found 
naturally mixed with the peat, (which is preferable,) 
it must be added. Break the peat into pieces 
about an inch square ; mix a great portion of pot- 
sherds amongst the composition ; elevate the plant 
above the rim of the pot, and give water plentifully 
while growing, gradually diminishing it previous to 
the season of rest. It is not advisable to with- 
hold water from this class altogether, as some 
cultivators do, to the great injury of the plant, when 
dormant. 

In potting, give plenty of drainage ; should the 
pots be large, invert a smaller one inside the larger 
one, and fill up level with small potsherds. If good 
drainage should not be given, the plants will soon 



ORCHID ACEiE. 



201 



become sickly, from which state they very rarely 
recover. 

All of this genus thrive best when risen high 
above the rim of the pot. Fill the pot at least three 
inches above the rim, so as to admit the roots 
free liberty to twine round the pots, in which they 
delight. 

Class, Gynandria. Order, Monandria. 

Chysis aurea — Venezuela — 1 834 — Sept. — Divis. 
Racemes upright ; flowers yellow, with crimson 
veins. 

Laeves — 1839 — August — Division. 

Large yellow flowers ; labellum spotted with 
dull brown. 

Bractesrens — 1 839 — Aug. — Division. 

Flowers white, with deep yellow. 
This genus grows best suspended in pots. 
Soil. — Rough peat and large potsherds. 
All these are worthy of a place with the best and 
choicest Orchideae. 



Class, Gynandria. Order, Monandria. 

Cirrhcea Loddigesii — Brazil — 1 822 — Aug. — Divis. 
Pale yellow flowers, slightly spotted with red, 

on a long pendent stem of many flowers. 
viridi purpurea — Brazil — 1827 — June to Aug. 

— Division. 

Sepals and petals green, beautifully bearded, 



202 



GUTDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



and spotted with purple ; petals yellow, spotted 
with red. A splendid species. 
Cyrrhcea Warreana — Brazil — 1831 — Division. 

Sepals and petals yellow, spotted with red ; a 
beautiful species, growing freely in moist peat 
and potsherds. 

— tristis — Mexico — 1 828 — June — Division. 
Green, red, and purple flowers beautifully 

spotted, growing freely in fibry peat and pot- 
sherds. 

— obtusa — Rio Janeiro — 1836 — Sept. — Divis. 
Sepals and petals yellow, spotted with red ; 

the other parts of the flower are a dirty white, 
spotted with red. 

This tribe thrives and looks best grown on wood 
or wooden basket suspended from the roof of the 
house. Most of the cirrhcea have long pendent 
racemes hanging gracefully from the base of the 
pseudo-bulbs. They grow freely in fibry peat, 
sphagnum, and potsherds. 



Cirrhopetalum Thouarsii — Manilla — 1836— July. 
Flowers yellow, dotted with red. 
Of this genus there are six or eight species : 
they require a moist stove. When perfecting their 
growth withhold water gradually, and give but little 
when at rest. Give good drainage, by nearly fill- 
ing the pots with brickbats and broken pots, placed 



ORCHIDACEiE. 



203 



in a conical manner ; let the smallest pieces project 
nearly through the surface of the soil. Use com- 
post composed of fibry peat, chopped sphagnum 
and potsherds. Elevate the plants above the rim 
of the pot : with such treatment they will grow 
freely. 



Class, Gynandria. Order, Monandria. 

Ccelogyne fimbriata — China — 1824 — Division. 

Sepals and petals yellowish green ; lip white, 
marked with red. 

punctata — East Indies — 1822 — Division. 

Flowers yellow : an elegant species. 

flaccida — Nepaul — 1829 — February — Divis. 

Lip white, blotched with yellow ; a moderately 
large flower : an interesting species. 

Wallichiana — India — 1 837 — October — Divis. 

Large flowers of a deep rose colour : one of 
the handsomest of this genus. 

ovalis— India— 1837 — Division. 

Yellowish green flowers, twice the size of 
Ccelogyne fimbriata. 
— ocellata — India — 1837 — Division. 

Sepals and petals white ; lip white, with two 
beautiful yellow spots on the lateral lobes. 
The same treatment as is generally recommended 
for Orchideae will answer for this genus. They 
grow freely in a moist stove. Give them a season 



204} GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 

of rest, and remove them to a dry airy place ; use 
shallow pots, and give abundance of drainage. 

Class, Gynandria. Order, Monandria. 

Coryanthes maculata — Demerara — 1 837— Root. 
Yellow flowers, much spotted ; lip singular, 
yellow striped, and spotted with deep red ; 
flowers on a pendent stem. 

— macranthus — Trinidad — 1835 — Division. 
Flowers yellow, much spotted with dep red ; 

lip a singular yellow and clouded. 

— speciosa and speciosa alba. 

Both these bear a strong resemblance to Cory- 
anthus maculata, but differ in colour. 
This genus grows best suspended. 
Cycnoches Loddigesii — Surinam — 1830 — June. 

Flowers green spotted with red; very fragrant. 

— ventricosum— Guatemala — 1835. 

A singular green and white flower : for treat- 
ment, see Catasetum. 

— maculatum. — La Guayra — 1829. 

Flowers a dull yellowish brown, spotted with 
brownish red : a fine and very singular species. 

Class, Gynandria. Order, Diandria. 

Cypripedium insigne — Nepaul — 1837 — January- 
Root. 

Petals greenish, tipt with white ; flowers much 
spotted with reddish brown ; rest of the flower 



ORCHIDACE.E. 



205 



greenish brown, and yellow inside, streaked with 
purple. 

Cypripedium venustum — Nepaul — 1816 — July to 
August — Root. 

A neat species ; flowers bright green, tipt with 
purplish red ; lips curiously marked with the 
same colour. 

purpuratum — Malagar Archipelago — 1835 — 

November — Root . 

A fine species, resembling venustum ; sepals 
white, marked with reddish purple petals, and lip 
purple. 

This genus grows well in fibrous peat, (the 
more fibrous the better) with a little fibrous loam 
added. It is necessary to give good drainage : 
these plants do not require that heat which most 
Orchideae do. 

Venustum will grow well in a greenhouse. 

Class, Gyxaxdria. Order, Monandria. 

Cymbidium bicolor — Ceylon — 1828 — Root. 

Streaked and stained with deep crimson : a 
beautiful species. 
— — aloefolium — China — 1 790 — Autumn — Root. 
Flower a ruddy blue, striped and marked with 
dull red. 

— Sinense — China — 1793 — Sept. and Dec. 
Flower a greenish yellow, marked and spotted 
with dark brown : a very fragrant species. 



206 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY, 



Cymbidium lancifolium — India—1822 — August — 
Root. 

Sepals and petals white ; lip white, and much 
spotted. 

— pendulum — Sylhet — 1837 — August — Root. 
Flowers a dirty yellowish brown ; lip of a 

clear red and white, adding much to its beauty. 

This genus grows freely in sandy peat, rough 
leaf soil, and the fibry part of sandy loam, to which 
add a little sand, and give good drainage. 

Class, Gynandria. Order. Monandria. 

Cyrtopodium Andersonii — West Indies — Spring — 
Division. 

Sepals and petals yellow ; lip much darker : 
a stem of many flowers. 
— — Woodfordii — Trinidad and Brazil — 1 837— S — 
Division. 

Sepals and petals green ; lip purple : a good 
species, flowering on a long erect stem of many 
blossoms. 

• punctatum — Brazil — 1835 — Spring — Divis. 

Sepals and petals yellow, the latter spotted 
w T ith red and purple : a very good species. 

Wilmorei — Venezuela — J one and July — 

Division. 

Grows four feet high ; sepals and petals yel- 
lowish green, spotted with dull red ; lip pale red 
and yellow, slightly spotted. 



ORCHIDACEiE. 



207 



Cyrtochilum flavescens — Mexico — 1830 — June. 
Yellow flowers ; lip marked with red ; a very 
good species. 

mystacinum — Peru — 1837— October. 

Flowers yellow. 

stellatum— Brazil — 1840 — September. 

Blooms on a beautiful spike of white flowers, 
with lip resembling Cyrtochilum flavescens ; 
but its stature is four times as large. 

maculatum — Vera Cruz— 1836 — August. 

Flowers greenish yellow, blotched with deep 
purple ; lip white, stained with dull red. 
Cyrtochilums require a moist stove ; they do well 
in a low temperature, and delight in light tufty 
peat, sphagnum, and potsherds. 

Class, Gynandria. Order, Monandria. 

Dendrobium moniliforme — China — 1824 — Winter 
— Division. 

Sepals and petals a fine purple ; lip a beautiful 
rose carmine. 

Languicornu — India— 1838 — Division. 

This species grows freely in fibry peat, 
mixed potsherds and sphagnum ; its flowers are 
white. 

chrysanthum — Nepaul — 1828 — Division. 

Large yellow flowers. This is a fine species, 
blooming abundantly when grown strong, 



208 GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



Dendrobium Pierardii— East Indies — 1835 — Feb. 
> — Division. 

Sepals and petals a delicate pink; labellum 
yellow : it flowers abundantly. 
— — cucullatum — East Indies — 1835. 

This species resembles the last. 
fimbriatum — Nepaul — 1 823 — June — Di- 
vision. 

Deep yellow flowers ; the margin of its lip is 
beautifully fringed. A very good species. 

— macrostachyum — Ceylon — 1829 — June — 
Division. 

Pale yellow flowers, resembling D. Pierardii, 
in habits. 

— pruncatum — Peru — 1 828 — May — Division. 
Flowers deep yellow ; inside of the lip beau- 
tifully feathered with crimson, and slipper 
shaped. 

— pulchellum— India — 1830 — Feb. and March 
— division. 

Sepals and petals a delicate blush white, shaded 
with pink ; lip white, yellow and pink. 
— — -densiflorum — India — 1829 — May — Division. 

Flowers yellow : a very good species. 
■ aggregatum — India — 1 833 — March — Divis. 

Yellow flowers : a fine species. 
Cupraeum — E. Indies — 1825 — June — Divis. 

Flowers yellow, beautifully tinged with red. 



ORCHID ACEiE. 



209 



Denbrobium formosum— E. Indies — 1837 — May 
— Division. 

Flowers pure white and transparent ; most 
splendid. 

candidium — E. Indies — 1837 — April — Divis. 

Flowers pure white ; of the habit of D. Nobile : 
erect, very fragrant. 

• nobile — India — 1836 — March — Division. 

Sepals and petals of a most delicate flesh co- 
lour : splendid. 

Gibsonianum — India — 1837 — Divis. 

Sepals and petals a fine yellow ; lip yellow, 
with two dark spots on its base. 

« sulcatum-^-India — 1837 — April — Division. 

Sepals and petals deep yellow ; lip shaded with 
darkish crimson : a good species. 

macrophyllum — Manilla — 1 8 3 7 — Division . 

Sepals and petals a bright rose ; lip downy, 
stained with two large blood red blotches at the 
base. 

Paxtonia — India — 1837 — April — Division. 

Flowers orange yellow ; lip a deep brown, spot 
in the middle. 

Jenkinsii — India — 1836 — Sept. — Division, 

The flowers are a beautiful deep yellow ; Hp 
furnished with a delicate down on its margin : 
these are a most splendid collection, being some 
of the very best of this genus. 

P 



210 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



This extensive genus grows freely potted in 
light mossy peat, chopped sphagnum, and potsherds. 
The pendent varieties, such as Pierardii, Cuculata? 
Macrostachya, &c, &c, are much better suspended 
either in baskets or shallow pots. The smaller va- 
rieties, such as Jenkinsonii, Aggregator, &c, 
grow well upon blocks of wood suspended from 
the roof of a moist house. Give a liberal supply 
of water when growing, gradually diminishing it as 
they perfect their growth. 

Class, Gynandria. Order, Monandria. 

Epidendrum variegatum — Rio Janeiro — 1830— 
January— Division. 

Sepals and petals of a yellowish green span- 
gled with dark purple spots : a beautiful species. 

• cochleatum— W. Indies — 1 786 — September 

— Division. 

Sepals and petals yellowish green ; lip purple ? 
striped with darker colour. 
— — pastoris — Mexico— 1837 — Jan. — Division. 
Flowers a dingy olive colour, having a pow« 
erful fragrance resembling Vanilla. 

■ vitellinum — Mexico — -1838 — Sept. — Divis. 

Flowers orange : a beautiful species. 
nocturnum — W. Indies — 1816 — Autumn- 
Division. 

Flowers yellow ; scentless by day, but during 



ORCHIDACEiE. 



211 



the night has a powerful scent, resembling the 
white lily. 

Epidendrum oncidioides — S. America — 1836 — 
June — Division. 

Flowers yellow, much clouded and marked 
with red : a beautiful and fragrant species. 

bicornutum — Trinidad — 1831 — April — Di- 
vision. 

Flowers large white, slightly spotted, two 
niches across, resembling a Cattley ; slightly 
fragrant. 

stenopetalum — Jamaica — 1834 — February 

and March — Division. 

Flowers white and rose : continues long in 
flower. 

gracile — Bahamas — 1833 — Sept. — Division. 

Flowers yellowish green, marked with red ; 
lip bright yellow, pencilled with scarlet. 

macrochilum — M exico — 1 836 — June — Di vis. 

Sepals and petals of a greenish brown ; lip 
white, having a large reddish purple spot at the 
base : a fine species. 

Skinnerii — Guatemala — 1834 — Jan. — Divis. 

A neat species of a beautiful red colour. 

=- papillosum — Mexico — 1837 — June and July 

— division. 

Sepals and petals yellowish green ; lip white, 
with three rose-pink stripes. 

P o 



212 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY, 



E pide n dr um aur an t i a c urn — G u a t e mala — 1 S 3 S — Di- 
vision. 

Sepals and petals of an orange colour ; lip 
the same, striped with crimson. 
Schomburgkii — British Guinea — 1336 — Di- 
vision. 

Flowers an animating scarlet ; lip three lobecL 
finely fringed, resembling in habit E. elonga- 
tum. 

Ionosmum — Essequibo — 1 S3 7 — Division. 

Flowers of a dull reddish green ; lip deli- 
cately streaked with black : fragrance like the 
violet. 

aromaticum — Guatemala — 1S3S— Summer- 
Division. 

Flowers yellow ; lip margined with red. 
= — fulcatum— Oaxaca. Mexico — IS 56 — Divis. 
Flowers yellow : a fine species. 
This numerous genus succeeds well in turf peal 
and potsherds ; if the peat contains a little sphag- 
num, not too much decayed, it will be much better, 
and when it does not contain any, chop a little and 
add it to the peat. They require a good supply of 
water when growing freely, but a little only when 
at rest, withholding it altogether when in a dor- 
mant state for a few weeks. 



ORCHIDACEjE. 



213 



Class, Gynandria. Order*, Monandria. 

Eria stellata — Nepaul — 1824 — Division. 

Flowers a yellowish white; lip light yellow, 
spotted with red. 

rosea — China — 1824 — Division. 

Flowers rosy pink and white, small, but very 
pretty. 

There are many more of this genus, which are 
more curious than pretty. 

The Eriae tribe require a mixture of tufty peat, 
rough lumps of decayed wood or bark, an inch 
square, and potsherds ; this composition is only 
for such plants as are grown in pots. If it be re- 
quired to suspend them from the roof of the house, 
rough baskets made of bark will answer best ; thus 
treated, they flower more freely than when in pots. 
It may not be unnecessary to remark in this place, 
that slugs delight to feed on Orchidese plants, and 
consequently must be guarded against. The best 
preventive is to plunge the materials used for the 
growth of these plants into boiling water previous 
to planting, allowing such to remain in the water 
until they are hot quite through, which will not 
only destroy the young slugs, but also the ova, 
and thereby prevent much mischief, Should this 
precaution have been neglected, and the slugs are 
damaging the plants, plunge them over head in 
water heated to about 80° Fahrenheit ; allow them 
to remain in the water a few minutes, so that the 



214 GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 

slugs may leave the plants, which they will readily 

do. 



Class, Gynandria. Order, Monandria. 

Eulophia ensata — Sierra Leone — 1822 — Division, 
Flowers yellow, somewhat pretty. 

streplopetala — S. America — 1820 — Division, 

Sepals green, petals yellow ; lip yellow and 
white. 

— Guineensis — Sierra Leone — 1822 — Root. 
Sepals and petals green; lip large and of a 

white colour. 

— macrostachya — Ceylon — 1836 — November 
and December— Division. 

Sepals and petals green ; lip yellow, marked 
with bright red. 

This genus succeeds well in tufty sandy peat and 
a portion of potsherds. They require a good 
drainage and a large supply of water when in a 
growing state. 



Class, Gynandria. Order, Monandria » 

Galeandra Banerii — Mexico. 

Sepals and petals green, shaded at the base 
with purple ; lip of a purplish rose and whitish 
colour : a fine species. 

Devonianum — Rio Negro — 1840. 

Flowers of a rich purplish brown, with a beau- 



GRCHlDACEiE. 



215 



tiful white spoon-shaped lip, streaked with crim- 
son. 

Galeandra succeeds well in tufty peat, chopped 
sphagnum, and potsherds. They require a moist 
stove, and a liberal supply of water when growing ; 
but care must be taken not to pour it upon the 
plants in such a manner as to allow it to remain in 
the sockets of the leaves, so as to cause them to 
damp off, and finally lose the plant. Give them a 
season of rest, as recommended for Catasetum. 



Class, Gynandria. Order, Monandria. 

Gongora atropurpurea — Trinidad — 1824 — June 
and July — Division. 

A brown purple flower spotted with a darker 
colour. 

— — nigrita — Demerara — 1837 — Division. 

Flowers of a deep prune coloured velvet. 
maculata — Demerara — 1 822 — May — Di v. 

Flowers of a fine orange, much spotted with 
deep red. 

• fulva — Demerara — 1 8 S 6 — July — Division. 

Flowers a dingy yellow, thickly spotted with 
brown. 

This genus requires a light fibry peat, potsherds, 
and a portion of sand ; owing to the long pendent 
racemes of this tribe, it is necessary to grow them in 
baskets or pots, which may be conveniently sus- 



216 GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 

pended from the roof. When in flower they re-* 
quire a moist atmosphere, and a good supply of 
water when in a vigorous growing state, but very 
little when dormant. 

Govenia superba — Mexico — 1833 — February. 

Flowers yellow, very curious and handsome. 
— liliacea — Mexico — 1840. 

Flowers white* marked with pale purple : a 

neat species. 
~ — lagenophora— Mexico — 1836. 

Flower white, upon a stem three feet high, 

bearing from thirty to forty flowers. 

This genus delights in a compound composed of 
leafy soil, half decayed sandy peat, and the fibry 
part of sandy loam, of each equal parts, to which 
add potsherds and a little white sand. When grow- 
ing they require a moist atmosphere, a liberal sup- 
ply of water, and a season of rest. When dormant 
withhold water altogether? and place them in a coo! 
house. 

Grammatophyllum multiflorum— -Manilla — 1838 — * 
May. 

Sepals and petals a deep brownish red edged 

with green ; lip yellowish white. 

This genus succeeds well when potted in light 
mossy peat and potsherds, placed in a moist stove 
with a moderate degree of shade; it also does well 
by folding its roots in moss and suspending it from 



ORCHIDACEiE. 



217 



the roof of the house, keeping it moist as before. 
This also requires a season of rest. 
Grobya Amhersta— Brazil — 1829 — September. 
Flowers yellow, mottled, and shaded with red. 
This genus thrives well either on blocks of wood 
or suspended from the roof of the house. When 
grown in baskets, use mossy peat and a large por- 
tion of potsherds : treated thus it will succeed 
much better than when grown in pots the ordinary 
way and placed on the stage. 
Huntleya Meleagra— Brazil— 1839. 

Large yellowish white flowers tinted with pur- 
ple, streaked with deep rose ; lip same colour, 
having a broad fringe, &c. 

violacea — Guiana — 1835. 

Flowers a deep rich violet tipped with green- 
ish yellow melting down into white. A fine 
species. 

These require a moist stove, suspended from the 
roof of the house, either in baskets or on blocks of 
wood. Give them a season of rest. 
Laelia anceps — Mexico — 1828 — December. 

Flowers large and of a pinkish purple colour \ 

lip crimson purple ; throat yellow and beautifully 

marked with red, 
■ anceps var. Barkeriana — Mexico — 1833 — 

December. 

Flowers a delicate black ; lip deeply margined 
with fine purplish crimson. 



218 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



Laslia autumnalis — Mexico — 1836 — Autumn. 

Sepals and petals a beautiful purple ; lip white, 
yellow j and purple. 

— albida — Oaxaca — 1838. 

Flowers white., except a bright streak down 
the centre of the lip, and a few crimson spots 
or dots. 

— Purpuracea — Mexico — 1837 — November. 
Sepals and petals a beautiful rose tinged with 

fine blue ; lip nearly purple rose. 

— majalis — Mexico — 1839. 

Flowers a beautiful violet, six inches across : a 
most splendid species. 

flava — Mexico — 1839 — Autumn. 

Flowers yellow ; a beautiful and engaging 
species. 

— tubescens. 

Flowers delicate white, tipped with pink. 



The cultivation of this genus is rather difficult to 
bring them to perfection ; laelias do not require so 



fore the most airy part of the house should be chosen 
for their reception ; at the same time, it must be a 
place where they will receive the sun's rays, for 
they like not the shade, They require to be grown 
upon logs of wood and kept moist during their sea- 



— Cinnabarina, 

and 

— superbiens, 




great a heat as the greater part of orchideae do, there- 



ORCHID ACEiE* 



219 



son of vegetation. Whenever it is convenient, place 
them over a cistern of water, where they may be al- 
lowed to remain until they have perfected their 
growth ; after which remove them to a cooler house 
and give but little water. When treated as above 
directed, they grow and flower very freely. 
Leptotes bicolor — Brazil — 1 834 — April. 

Sepals and petals white; lip a beautiful red : a 
neat species. 

This genus flourishes well upon rough barked 
logs of wood : when grown in pots they require 
moss, peat, and potsherds. When growing, they 
must be placed in a moist heat, and in the dry stove 
when dormant. 



Class, Gynandria. Order, Monandria. 
Maxillaria graminea — Demerara — 1834 — Ja- 
nuary — Offsets. 

Flowers pale yellow. 

Harrisoniae — S. America — 1835 — Offsets. 

Sepals and petals yellow and white lip ; marked 
with red. 

Aromatica — Mexico — 1836 — May— Offsets. 

Flowers fine yellow : a very fragrant species. 

— Barringtoniae — Jamaica — 1820. 
Flowers large, muddy yellow ; lip ciliated. 

— Deppii — New Spain — 1828— June — Div. 
Sepals a dingy green spotted with purple, pe- 
tals white, lip yellow and spotted with purple. 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY, 



Maxilla ria ochroleuca — Brazil — IS 30 — Autumn— 
Division. 

Sepals and petals yellowish white, lip yel- 
low. 

Parkeri — Demerara — 1S36 — Sept. — Div. 

Flowers yellow. 

■ picta — Brazil — 1S30 — Autumn — Division. 

Sepals and petals yellowish white, lip yel- 
low, 

— — punctata — Brazil— IS 2S — November and De- 
cember — Division. 

Sepals and petals slightly spotted with red, lip 
yellow. 

— stapelioides — Brazil — 1S35 — Spring — Div. 
Sepals and petals green, much spotted and 
streaked with brown purple ; lip white, much 
blotched, and streaked with purple. 

lentiginosa — Brazil— 1838— Division. 

Much like the last mentioned species : sepals 
being more acute, and the purple spots deeper, 
more distinct, and less rim ; lip same colour. 

viridis — Pio Janeiro — 1 S 34 — May — Div. 

Flowers green, lip muddy purple and spotted. 

Warreana — Brazil — 1 S29 — Aug. — Division. 

Sepals and petals beautifully marked with red; 
a fine species. 
— — Skinneri — Guatemala — 1S-40 — Division. 

Flowers deep yellow ; lip fine purplish white, 
centre tinged with deep rose : a fine species. 



ORCHIDACEiE. 



Maxillaria atrapurpurea — Brazil — 1823— July and 
August — Division. 

Flowers very dark purple, with a little white 
on the lip. 

cristata — Trinidad — 1 834— July — Div. 

Sepals and petals white, much braided and 
spotted with crimson ; inside of the lip bearded, 
of a crimson colour : fine species. 

Steelii — Demerara — 1836 — Sept. — Divis. 

Sepals and petals pale yellow, blotched with 
dark red lip. 

aureo-fulva — Rio Janeiro — 1828 —Division. 

Flowers fine golden brown, in a raceme of 
several flowers. 

Rollissonii — Brazil — 1837 — Aug. — Divis. 

Flowers yellow ; lip spotted with red : a neat 
species. 

vitellina — Brazil — 1836 — June — Division. 

Flowers fine yellow, having a rich brown spot 
on the lip. 

murophylla — Columbia — 1838 — September 

— Division. 

Sepals and petals green ; outside dull purplish 
brown ; inside petals pale straw ; lip dotted with 
rose. 

tenuifolia — Mexico — 1838 — Division. 

Sepals and petals scarlet, green, and yellow $ 
much spotted with crimson ; lip yellow and 
scarlet spotted with crimson : a fine species. 



222 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



Maxillaria Mackaii — Guatemala — 1 839 — Aug.— 
Division. 

Sepals and petals of a rich reddish brown ; 

lip whitish with deep maroon spots. 

Most of this genus succeed well in brown peat, 
having plenty of fibres in it. In general, the more 
fibrous the soil the better it is for all orchideas. 
Drain the pots well : it is better to have a small 
pot inverted over the hole of the one in which it is 
intended to set the plant, and to fill up level to the 
inverted pot with potsherds, placing the large ones 
round the bottom, and the smaller ones at the top : 
this allows the free moist vapours to have free 
access to the roots of the plants. 

Elevate the plant above the rim of the pot ; the 
larger the plant is, the greater elevation it will re- 
quire. 

Max. Steelii is much better suspended in a wire 
or wooden basket, as its long rush-like pendent 
leaves are then seen to the best advantage. The 
plants should be elevated high, above the rim of the 
basket. 

Max. Rollissonii and Stapelioides, with most of 
smaller species, succeed much better when grown 
on wood, securing a little peat or sphagnum over 
the roots ; the greater part of them require a hot 
and moist atmosphere. When growing, give a 
good supply of water, but diminish it when they 
have perfected their growth, and withhold it by 



ORCHID ACEiE. 



223 



degrees for a few weeks when in their dormant 
state. 

Miltonia spectabilis — Brazil — 1835. 

Sepals and petals white; lip beautifully shaded 
with lilac and crimson. 

Candida — Brazil — 1839 — September. 

Sepals and petals a rich yellowish brown ; lip 
pure white, spotted with bright pink ; flowers 
large : a beautiful species. 

This noble genus flourishes well in a mixture of 
fibry brown peat, chopped sphagnum, and pot- 
sherds. Elevate the plants above the rim of the 
pots, and place them in a moist house when grow- 
ing. When they have perfected their growth, give 
them a season of rest ; but do not withhold water 
from them altogether, or they will dry and shrivel 
up, to the injury of this genus. 

Pots or baskets suspended from the roof of the 
house suits these the best. 

Mormodes atropurpurea — Spanish Main — 1834 — 
December. 

Flowers in bundles, of a rich purple. 

pardina — Oaxaca — 1839 — July. 

Flowers a primrose colour spotted with red- 
dish purple in every part ; delightfully fragrant. 
Monochanthus discolor — Demerara — 1833 — Octo- 
ber and November. 

Flowers green, red, and white : a very singular 
species. 



224 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



Monochanthus virides — Brazil — November. 

Sepals and petals green, spotted with red ; lip 
green, inside deep yellow. 

Monochanthus requires a mixture of tufty peat, 
sphagnum and potsherds, with perfect drainage. 
Give water plentifully when they are in a vigorous 
growing state, after which it must be gradually 
diminished : give them a season of rest, and with- 
hold water altogether from some of the strongest 
plants. 

My an thus barbatus — Demerara — 1 834 — February. 
Sepals and petals green spotted with red ; lip 
bright pink and curiously bearded ; hood crimson. 

— barbatus, (La Bella alba) — Demerara — 1835 
May. 

Sepals and petals yellowish green, and spotted 
with deep red ; lip white. 

— cerunus — Rio Janeiro — May. 
Flowers green spotted with red. 

~ — - deltoides— Demerara — 1835 — October. 

Sepals and petals green, spotted with red ; lip 
a yellowish green, spotted with red : a curious and 
neat species. 

This genus requires the same treatment as 
Catasetum, Dr. Lindley includes this genus with 
Catasetum. 



ORCHIDACEiE. 



225 



Class, Gynandria. Order, Monandria. 

Notylia-punctata — Trinidad — 1822 — Angust and 

September — Division. 

Flowers a pale green and white, spotted with 

yellow : very fragrant. 

Barkerii — Mexico — 1827 — Division. 

Small yellow flowers. 

This genus is not very attractive in the flowers, 
but most of the species are very fragrant. 

These plants require to be fixed to a piece of 
wood, and suspended from the roof of the house. 
Give a good supply of water when growing. They 
require a season of rest, at which time care must 
be taken not to keep them too dry. 
Odontoglossum cordatum — Mexico— 1 840 — Div. 
Sepals and petals yellowish green, ground 

richly blotched with brown ; lip white, with a 

purplish crest. 

Rossii— Mexico — 1840. 

Sepals green spotted with red ; petals with 

their base spotted with red ; lip white : a beauti- 
ful species. 

maculatum — Mexico — 1837. 

Inside of the flowers dull red, outside green ; 

petals and lips yellow, spotted with red. 
— — • grande — Guatemala — 1840. 

This class of Orchideae does much better upon 
wood than in pots ; they must be suspended from 
the roof of the house. Should it be desirable to 

Q 



226 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



grow them in pots or baskets, use the following 
composition. Light tufty peat, chopped sphagnum, 
and potsherds ; give good drainage, and raise the 
plant above the rim of the pot or basket, suspend- 
ing them from the roof of the house. When 
growing, they require a liberal supply of water, 
which must be gradually diminished after they 
have arrived at perfection, taking care not to dry 
them so much as is recommended for some of the 
stronger tribes. 

Class, Gynandria. Order, Monandria. 

Oncidium pubes— Rio Janeiro — 1814 — Division. 
Sepals and petals green, mottled with light- 
brown ; lip light yellow, margined with red : a 
neat species. 

— divaricatum — Rio Janeiro — 1825 — Division. 
Flowers yellow, spotted with red ; lip yellow, 

clouded with scarlet. 
papilio — Trinidad — 1823 — Most of the season 

— Division. 

Flowers yellow, marked with fine brownish 
red ; lip yellow, much spotted and marked with 
bright red. 

luridum var. guttatum — West Indies— 1834 

— Division. 

One of the finest varieties of Orchideae luri- 
dum. Flowers pale greenish yellow finely 
spotted with light red. 



ORCHID ACE^Et 



Oncidium Bauerii — West Indies — 1793 — August 
and September — Division. 

Flowers, a greenish yellow clouded with pur- 
plish red ; sepals and petals green outside. 

ampliatum — South America — 1833 — Feb. 

— Division. 

Flowers yellow, pale at the outside, and dark 
inside : a fine species. 

bifolium — Monte Video — 1812 — March — 

Division. 

Flowers a fine bright yellow, spotted with 
brownish red : a beautiful species. 

Carthagenense — West Indies — 1791 — June — 

Division. 

Flowers a rusty greenish yellow, spotted and 
marked with brownish red. 

citrinum — Trinidad — 1834 — Nov. — Divis. 

Flowers yellow, spotted with red: a neat species. 

■ Cornigerum — Brazil — 1834 — Aug. — Divis. 

Flowers yellow, spotted with red : a fine species. 

crispum — Brazil — 1831 — May — Division. 

Flowers a fine chestnut, and spotted throat of 
the lip yellow : a good species. 
— — Lemonianum — Havannah — 1835 — May— Di- 
vision. 

Flowers yellow and slightly spotted. 

lanceanum — Surinam — 1834 — August and 

September. 

Sepals and petals a fine greenish yellow, 

Q2 



228 GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 

spotted and marked with purplish red ; lip of a 
pale rose purple : very fragrant : one of the finest 
species* 

Oncidium flexuosum — Brazil — 1818 — Spring — 
Divis. 

Flowers a fine yellow, marked slightly with 
red. 

■ — — divariatum — Brazil — 1825 — July and Au- 
gust—Division. 

Flowers a pale green and red. 

— Harrisonianum — Brazil — 1830 — Spring — Di- 
vision. 

Flowers a fine yellow, neatly marked with red. 
~ sanguineum — La Guayra — 1837 — May — Di- 
vision. 

Flowers a straw colour, stained with crimson 
blotches : a fine species. 
— — pulchellum — West Indies — 1830 — March — 
Division. 

Flowers a delicate white, clouded with pale 
pink and yellow : very fragrant. 
- — — triquetrum — Jamaica — 1793 — July and Oc- 
tober — Division. 

Sepals purplish green; petals white and tinged 
with pale green, variously spotted with purple. 

ornithorhynchun — Mexico — 1836 — July and 

August — Division. 

Flowers a purplish rose on a large pendent 
panicle : a neat species. 



ORCHID ACEiE. 



229 



ncidium cebolleta — Spanish Main — 1835 — Fe- 
bruary — Division. 

Sepals and petals yellowish green ; lip yellow. 

tetrapetalum — Jamaica — 1 824 — J une and 

July — Division. 

Flowers yellow : a small species, but exceed- 
ingly pretty. 

— iridifolium — Mexico — 1836 — Aug. — Divis. 
Flowers bright yellow, and slightly spotted 

with red. 

— lunatum — Demerara — 1836 — June — Divis. 
Flowers bright yellow, slightly spotted and 

blotched with red, resembling Harrisonianum. 

— Russelianum — Rio Janeiro — 1835 — Division. 
Sepals and petals a dull red ; lip purplish red, 

marked with white : a pretty species. 

— altissimum — Jamaica — 1830— Spring — Di- 
vision, 

Sepals and petals green, clouded with purple : 
lip yellow. 

— deltoideum — Peru — 1836 — October and No- 
vember — Division. 

Flowers yellow, with marks of red on the lip. 

— leucochilum — Guatemala — 1835 — August 
and September. 

Flowers white and green, spotted with red. 

stramineum — Vera Cruz — 1837 — Division. 

Sepals and petals neatly dotted with brown. 



230 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



Oncidium Cavendishii — Guatemala — 1 836 — Ja- 
nuary — Division. 

Flowers of a yellowish green : a fine species. 

— pulvinatum — Brazil — 1 834 — May — Division. 
Sepals and petals yellow, coloured with scar- 
let ; lip yellow, spotted with scarlet. 

— trulliferum — Brazil — 1837 — Sept. — Divis. 
Flowers yellow, marked with large blotches of 

bright red. 

— Forbesii — Brazil — 1837 — Division. 

Large yellow white flowers, neatly covered 
with rich crimson. 

— Tusleayi — Mexico — Division. 

Large vellow flowers, much marked with crim- 
son, similar to O. papilio. 

This genus delights to grow in a composition 
composed of chopped sphagnum^ tufty peat, and 
potsherds. Give good drainage, and elevate the 
plant above the rim of the pot : those of the 
weakest kind succeed best upon wood. For the 
pendent racema varieties use shallow pots or bas- 
kets. A moist stove suits them best when growing, 
and a cool house when dormant. Previous to vege- 
tation, they may be repotted without injuring the 
roots. 



ORCHIDAC£j£. 



231 



Class, Gynandria. Order, Monandria. 

Ornithidium Coccineum — West Indies — 1790 — De- 
cember and January — Division. 
Flowers reddish scarlet. 



Class, Gynandria. Order, Monandria. 

Ponthievae glandulosse — West Indies — 1800 — Jan. 
to March — Division. 
Flowers green. 
Paxtonia rosea— Manilla— 1838 — June, 

Flowers purplish lilac, resembling some of the 
Bletias. 

This genus flourishes well in tufty sandy peat, 
sandy loam, and a portion of potsherds. Give good 
drainage, and a large supply of water when grow- 
ing ; but when they have reached perfection, gra- 
dually diminish, and finally place them in a cool 
house, or upon some dry back shelf, where little 
or no moisture can reach them. Suffer them to 
remain in this dormant state for several weeks, 
being guided by the strength of the plants ; some 
require greater caution than others. They do not 
require that degree of heat which is necessary for 
some of the Orchidese. 

Peristeria elata — Panama — 1826 — May to August. 
Flowers very fragrant. In New Spain, this 
species is called Holy Spirit, from its resembling 
a dove. 



232 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY, 



Peristeria pendula — Demerara — 1835 — January,, 
Sepals and petals of a greenish white, inside 
a pale blush, spotted with purple ; lip dingy 
white. 

— cerina — Spanish Main — 1836 — June. 

Flowers yellow, hanging in a pendent di- 
rection. 

~ Barkerii — Mexico — 1837 — July and Au- 
gust. 

Flowers deep yellow ; lip slightly spotted with 
reddish purple. 

The culture of this tribe is very easy : they de- 
light in fibry peat, chopped sphagnum, and small 
potsherds. Elevate the plants above the rim of 
the pots in the shape of a cone. Those which have 
pendent flower-stems require to be grown in pots 
or baskets, such as P. pendula, Barkerii, &c, 
particularly the last mentioned species, for if the 
flower-stems, which protrude through the soil, 
should be impeded in their progress, they are sub- 
ject to be destroyed for the want of a place of 
egress. 

Phajus albus — Nepaul — 1837 — July. 

Sepals and petals white ; lip white, delicately 
veined with red : a neat species, 

bicolor— Ceylon— 1837. 

Sepals and petals deep red ; lip yellow : one of 
the handsomest of this genus. 
Wallichii— India— 1840. 



ORCHIDACEjE. 



233 



Pbajus maculatus, or Bletia Woodfordii — Nepaul — 

1823 — January and June. 

Large deep yellow flowers : a beautiful species. 
grandiflora — China — 1778. 

The two last mentioned species and their allies 
require fibry peat, chopped sphagnum, and small 
potsherds. Elevate the plants above the rims of 
the pots. 

P. albus delights in brown fibry peat, potsherds, 
and a little cally sand. Give good drainage, and a 
liberal supply of water when in a vigorous growing 
state, but withhold it altogether when dormant. 
Previous to their season of rest repot them. 
Phalcenopsis amabilis — Manilla — June. 

Sepals and petals white ; lip white and yellow, 

lined with deep rose ; flowers very large. 

This plant is also called the Indian Butterfly. 
The specimen plant of this genus was sold by 
Messrs. Rollinson for fifty guineas only a few 
months back. 

Phalcenopsis succeeds best on blocks of wood 
suspended from the roof of the house ; it requires 
a moderate supply of water, and grows vigorously 
when suspended over a cistern of water. When 
dormant, remove it to a cool house, or to the most 
dry, cool, and airy part of the house. 



234 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



Class, Gynandria. Order, Monandria. 

Renanthera coccinea — China — 1816— March, May, 
and September — Cuttings. 

Flowers a beautiful crimson in large racemes, 
two feet and a half long. 

This genus does well planted in pots of fibry 
peat, potsherds, and a thick piece of rough barked 
wood for the roots to adhere to, covering the roots 
with moss as the plant advances in growth. It re- 
quires a moderate degree of moisture when in a 
vigorous growing state, but not to such a degree 
as is recommended for some of the Orchideas 
tribe. 



Class, Gynandria. Order, Monandria. 

Rodriguezia secunda — Trinidad — 1818 — October 
— Cuttings. 

Flowers a fine red, in pendent spikes of many 
blooms. 

— - planifolia — Brazil — 1835 — Feb. — Cuttings. 

Flowers purple, violet, and white. 
- crispa — Brazil — 1 839 — Nov. — Cuttings. 

Flowers a greenish colour, very fragrant. 
This genus does remarkably well either on logs 
of wood, or potted, and suspended from the roof 
of the house : when grown in pots the following 
composition will answer best : brown tufty peat, 
chopped sphagnum, and potsherds ; but if on blocks 
of wood, it is only necessary to cover the roots with 



ORCHIDACEJE. 



235 



a little moss kept moderately moist : give them very 

little water when dormant. 

Saccolabium calceolare — East Indies — 1837. 

Flowers yellow, blotched with brown : a small 
fragrant species. 

densiflorum — Manilla — 1837. 

Flowers small, of a pale dull brownish yellow. 

compressum — Manilla — 1838. 

Flowers on a drooping raceme ; sepals small, 
blotched with crimson, with a long ivory-like 
spike. 

pupillosum — India — 1830 — Aug. and Sept. 

Flowers in small bundles, yellow, and spotted 
with red. 

bifidum— Manilla — 1837 — December. 

Flowers in a pendulous raceme of a pale pink 
and yellow. 

This genus succeeds well either on logs of wood 
or in baskets ; in the latter, fibry peat, chopped 
sphagnum, and potsherds answer best : when grown 
on logs of wood, cover the roots with hypnum moss ; 
they require a moist house and a moderate supply of 
water when growing, but very little when at rest. 

Class, Gynandria. Order, Monanbria. 

Sarcanthus paniculatus — China — 1830 — May and 
June— Division. 

Flowers a deep yellow, marked with brownish 
red. 



236 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



Sarcanthus guttatus — India — 1820 — Division. 

Sepals and petals white, spotted with rose ; lip 
rosy purple : a lovely species. 
— — rostratus — China — 1821 — Aug.— Cuttings. 
Flowers in pendent racemes, of a yellowish 
colour and striped with red. 
— - teretifolius— China — 1819 — Nov.— Cuttings. 
Flowers yellow and purple, striped with red ; 
lip white, two lobes edged with red. 
These require the same treatment as the last 
mentioned genus, viz. Saccolabium. 

Class, Gynandria. Order, Monandria. 

Sarcochilus falcatus — New Holland — 1821 — April 
—Division. 

Flowers white : a neat species. 

- — - unguiculatus — Manilla — 1 839— August — Di- 
vision. 

Flowers a light straw colour ; lip white, 
streaked and dotted with crimson. 
This genus requires the same treatment as the 
generality of Orchideae plants. 
Stanhopea eburnea — Rio Janeiro — 1 834 — From 
July to October. 

Flowers yellowish white ; lip marked and 
spotted with reddish purple : a fine species. 

grandiflora — Trinidad — 1824— June to Oct. 

Flowers white ; lip shaded with pink : very 
fragrant. 



ORCHID ACE^. 



237 



Stanhopea insignis — S. America — 1826 — July. 

Sepals yellow, petals white ; both spotted with 
purple ; lip whitish, spotted and blotched with 
purple. 

insignis lutea — Brazil — 1834. 

More yellow than the last mentioned species. 

• oculata— Mexico— 1829 — July. 

Flowers a cream colour, spotted with purple ; 
lip yellow and white, with two large spots re- 
sembling an eye : a beautiful species. 

quadricornis — Spanish Main — 1836. 

Flowers a deep yellow, slightly spotted with 
crimson ; lip beautifully marked and spotted 
with crimson. 

tigrina — Mexico — 1835. 

Flowers deep yellow, much blotched and 
marked with deep purple : a most splendid 
species. 

maculosa — Mexico. 

Flowers resembling S. tigrina, but much 
smaller and less marked. 

martiana — Mexico — 1837 — May. 

Sepals straw colour, faintly spotted with pale 
red ; petals white, with large spots of crimson ; 
lip clear ivory white. 

graveolens — Peru — 1838 — August. 

Petals a delicate straw colour ; lip deep yellow ; 
similar to S. saccotae. 
— Wardii — Guatemala— 1837. 



238 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



Stanhopea aurea — Guatemala — 1840. 
A new and very fine species. 

To grow this genus in potSj, they require to be 
raised eight or ten inches above the rim. It is easily 
done by placing pieces of peat (cut about an inch 
square) together in such a manner as to form a 
cone. Should wire baskets be thought preferable 
to pots, they should be about an inch mesh, in order 
that the flower stems may have free egress through 
the mesh of the basket, otherwise they will be im- 
peded and ultimately lost. Suspend them from the 
roof of the house. 

Give a liberal supply of water when in a vigorous 
growing state, and gradually diminish it after they 
have arrived at perfection. When in a dormant 
state, if convenient, remove them to a cool house 
of not less than 50° of heat. Put them upon a dry 
shelf for a few weeks, and give them no water ex- 
cept they be very weak. 

Class, Gynandria. Order, Monandria. 

Stenorhynchus speciosus — West Indies — 1790 — 
January — Division. 

Flowers violet and scarlet : a neat species : 
grows well in peat. 
Tr i chophilia ob tus u m — D em er ar a — 1834 — J an . 

Flowers yellow, green, and orange : more 
curious than pretty. 

Trichophilia grows well in brown tufty peat.. 



ORCHIDACEiE, 



239 



having plenty of fibres in it, the more the better, 
mixed with a portion of potsherds. Elevate the 
plant above the rim of the pot. 
Trigonidum obtusum — Demerara — 1834 —Aug. 

Flowers a yellow, green, and orange colour. 
Egertonii— Honduras — 1836. 

This genus grows freely in light tufty peat. A 
good drainage, and a liberal supply of water, gra- 
dually diminishing it after they have perfected their 
growth. Give a season of rest, but not too long, 
otherwise the plants will receive injury. 
Trichocentrum fuscum — Mexico — 1836 — July. 

Sepals and petals brown and green ; lip white, 

and beautifully marked with crimson : a neat 

little species. 

iridifolium— Demerara — 1836. 

Flowers a pale yellow ; lip delicately streaked 

with a darker colour. 

This tribe grows freely potted in light tufty peat. 
Give good drainage, and place them in a moist 
stove : they require a liberal supply of water, 
gradually diminishing it after they have perfected 
their growth. Give them a season of rest, taking 
care not to over dry them. 

Class, Gynandria. Order, Monandria. 

Vanilla planifolia — West Indies — 1800 — Jan. and 
Feb. — Cuttings. 

Flowers white ; lip dotted with yellow. 



240 GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



Vanilla aromatica — S. America — 1 793 — July 
and August — Cuttings. 
Flowers white. 

bicolor — Guiana — April— Cuttings. 

Sepals and petals red ; lip cream colour : a 
delicious fragrant scent. 

These delight in fibrous peat and potsherds : they 
being of a climbing genus should be placed near the 
wall, so that they may cling to it. They require 
great space to flower them well. 

Class, Gynandria. Order, Monandria. 

Zygopetalum Mackeyii— Brazil — 1825 — Division. 
Sepals and petals green, spotted with red ; lip 

white, marked with reddish purple. 
— crinitum — -Brazil — 1829 — Aug. and Nov. — 

Division. 

Sepals and petals green, spotted with purplish 
brown ; lip streaked and spotted with purple. 

cochleare — Trinidad — 1835 — Sept. — Divis. 

Sepals and petals greenish white ; lip white 
and purple, branded and spotted with purple. 

maxillare — Rio Janeiro — 1829 — Aug. — Divis. 

Sepals and petals green, spotted with red ; lip 
blackish purple. 

rostratum — Demerara — 1827 — Oct. — Divis. 

Flowers white, purple, and brown. 

stenochilum — Brazil — 1828 — Oct. — Division. 

Sepals and petals green, and spotted with 



ORCHIDACE.E. 



241 



red ; lip white, beautifully marked with dark 
purple. 

The strongest varieties of this genus, such as Z. 
Mackayii, grow freely in light peat and potsherds, 
mixing therewith a little sand and the rough fibry 
part of sandy loam. The more delicate varieties, 
such as Z. maxillare, Z. cochleare, &c, grow best 
in fibry peat and potsherds. Give a liberal supply 
of water when growing : they also require a moist 
house. Allow them a season of rest. 



Mr. Saynor, Gardener at Spofforth, the seat 01 
the Rev. W. Herbert, has constructed a tree for 
the growth of Orchideas, w T hich is an excellent plan 
for the purpose ; its construction is as follows : — 
Take an upright piece of oak, six or seven inches 
in diameter, its length corresponding with the size 
and height of the situation in which it is to be 
placed. Drive an iron pin into each end, and fix it 
to the rafter, and a block at the bottom, having the 
hole in each sufficiently large to permit the tree to 
be turned round at pleasure ; to this nail pieces of 
rough barked oak wood, about a foot long. Form 
as many angles as you can, fix the plants in these, 
and turn the tree round two or three times during 
the day, so that each variety may have its due pro- 
portion of light and shade. 

J. SAYNOR. 



242 GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 

Orchideae require a certain degree of shade. 
Some persons grow them in a north aspect, but I 
prefer Messrs. Loddiges' mode of giving shade to 
any other I ever saw : it is by placing the plants 
on the north side of their palm house : in this si- 
tuation they receive that kind of shade which they 
have in their native country. When I saw the 
plants they were in fine condition. 

Season of Rest. — It is highly beneficial to give 
the plants a season of rest, as by it they are not so 
much exhausted as when continually excited with 
heat and water. It is usual to put them on shelves 
in the house w T hen in a dormant state ; and, where 
convenient,, the heat should be from 55° to 60°, 
this temperature being sufficient for the plants 
when in their state of rest. 

Water. — When in a vigorous growing state, they 
will require it to be given with a liberal hand ; but 
when dormant, only a little will be necessary. A 
moist atmosphere, particularly in the evening, is 
very beneficial to them. 

A List of Orchideous Plants that will succeed in 
a heat of 65° to 70°. By P. Don, Tooting 
Nursery *. 

Name. Introduced in Native of 

Catasetum tridentatum 1823 Demerara. 

* P. N. Don is foreman to Messrs. Rollinson, Tooting 

Nursery. 



ORCHIDACEiE. 



243 



Catasetum trifidum 1832 

Deltoidium 1834 

cristatum 1836 

barbatum 1834 

longifolium 1838 

citrincum 1833 

* maculatum 1836 

caminatum 1840 



Brazil. 
Demerara. 



Brazil. 
Mexico. 



All these will do well if potted in turfy peat and 
a little leaf soil. In potting the plants, care should 
be taken that they are not put in too large pots, 
and as soon as they have perfectly completed the 
pseudo-bulbs, they should be allowed to go to rest, 
and no water should be given them until the time 
they begin to grow, and but very little only until 
they have made pretty good progress ; for if much 
water is given when the plants are in a young state, 
they are very apt to go off. It would be well, be- 
fore the growing season commences, to shake the 
plants out of their pots, and to put them up on 
some dry shelf for a month previous to potting 
them, and before potting, all the old roots should 
be cut off. 



grandiflora 


1827 


Brazil. 


oculata 


1829 


Demerara. 


insignis 


1818 


S. America. 


saccata 


1835 


Guatemala. 


venusta 


1833 


Do. 


aurea 


1836 


Do. 



244 GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



Stanhopea Wardii 1836 Mexico. 

— tigrina 1836 Do. 

— — — Devonianensis 1835 Do. 

All these are beautiful, I may say splendid. 
They should be grown in baskets made either with 
wire or wood : I should recommend square baskets 
made of oakbatlins, as being much better than wire. 
They should be grown in sphagnum, with turfy 
peat, and suspended from the rafters of the house, 
but not near where the air is allowed to come in. 
In the resting season they should not have any 
water, but in the growing season plenty should be 
given, and it should be of the temperature of the 
house, or even above it rather than below it. The 
season of flowering for these plants depends much 
on that in which they begin to grow, for they 
flower at various times in the year. 

Gongora atropurpurea 1824 Trinidad. 

■ — maculata 1830 Demerara, 

— ignea 1835 

This genus will do well either in pots or baskets, 
if the soil used is turfy peat and a little sphagnum. 
They flower nearly all the year round ; are beautiful, 
and at the same time curious in their formation. The 
flowers resemble the giraffe in heraldry. 

Coryanthes maculata 1829 Demerara. 

„ speciosa 1826 Brazil. 

■ macrantha 1826 Caraccas. 

A most beautiful and singular genus; the form 



ORCHID ACEJE. 



245 



of the flowers is that of a small helmet, similar to 
that worn by the Life-guards, Baskets or pots do 
well for this genus to grow in, if the soil used is 
turfy peat, and a large portion of sphagnum cut 
small. The pots in which these plants are grown 
should be shallow, as deep pots require a great 
many potsherds to fill them up with, which is of 
no service to the plants. If they are grown in pots, 
they should be raised two or three inches above 
the rim of the pot, as the flower goes downwards. 
All orchideous plants require a season of rest, as 



they will never flower well, 


nor grow 


without it. 


Cycnoche Loddigesii 


1830 


Surinam. 


chlorochilon 


1838 


Demerara. 


ventricosum 


1835 


Guatemala. 


multiflorum 


1839 


Mexico. 


maculatum 


1837 


Span. Main. 



These require nearly the same treatment as that 
for catasetum. This genus I should recommend to 
the attention of all lovers of the singular forms of 
nature. The column has the fanciful resemblance 
to the neck of a swan, while the lip forms the body 
to the same : two of the species are of a yellowish 
green, and have a strong scent of rhubarb ; while 
the other two have the flowers spotted, but not so 
strong a scent as the other. 

Maxiliaria Harrisonise 1829 Brazil. 

— aromatica 1825 Do. 

— Deppii 1828 Mexico. 



246 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



Maxillaria Parkeii 


1826 


West Indies. 


— — — picta 


1826 


Brazil. 


— — — aureo-fulva 


1837 


Do. 


• — racemosa 


1825 




— cristata 


1834 


Trinidad. 


■ tenuifolia 


1837 


Mexico. 


■ — Barringtoniae 


1790 


West Indies, 


Ornithidium coccineum 


1790 


Do. 


album 


1832 


Trinidad. 


Acropera Loddigesii 


1828 


Mexico. 


— — — ■ citrina 


1834 


Brazil. 


Zygopetalon rostratum 


1825 


Demerara. 


■ — Mackaii 


— — 


Brazil. 


■ crinatum 


1829 




— — — -— maxillare 






— cochleare 


1834 


Trinidad. 


Maxillaria, ornithidium, 


acropera, 


zygopetalon : 



all these require nearly the same treatment, that is, 
they should be potted in shallow pots, in very turfy 
peat ; and they should not be set very much above 
the rim of the pot : the pot should be well drained. 
They will require plenty of water when growing, 
but little or none when they are at rest. 

Lissochilus speciosus 1818 C. of G.Hope 

streptopetalus 1822 

This genus requires to be grown in a pot, in 
turfy loam and sand, with a little leaf soil, and the 
pot should have a good drainage. When growing, 
a copious supply of water should be given ; but 



ORCHIDACEJB. 



247 



when done growing it should be withheld, but re- 
newed when it again begins to grow. 

Brassia macnlata 1S06 Jamaica. 

lanceana 1833 Surinam. 

candata 1823 West Indies. 

These require to be grown in pots and turfy 

peat, with the pots well drained. 

Oncidium papilio (the but- ) 

^ n \ N \ 1S23 Trinidad, 
terfly plant) J 

luridum 

bifolium 

lanceanum 

Cavendishianum 

ornithorhvnchum 



crispum 
flexuosum 



ISIS 
1811 
1834 
1836 
1S26 
1831 
1818 



S. America. 
Surinam. 
Guatemala. 
Mexico. 
Brazil. 
Do. 



All these will do well, grown in pots with turfy 
peat and large pieces of bark; the pots should be 
shallow. Bifolium must be grown on a log of 
wood ; it will not do in a pot. 

Renanthera coccinea 1816 China. 

This ought to be put in a pot and some large 
pieces of wood for it to run upon : as it will run a 
great way, it should be trained on pieces of wood 
along the house, near the glass. It is a lovely 
plant. 

Odontoglossum cordatum 1837 Mexico. 

grande IS 3. 5 Do. 

_ Insleayii 1S35 



248 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



This is a most lovely genus, and well deserves 
cultivation. They will do well if grown in mo- 
derate sized pots, and care taken that they do not 
have over much water. The pots should be 
shallow, and the soil best for their growth, turfy 
peat and bark in pretty large pieces. They should 
be elevated a little above the rim of the pot. When 
potsherds are used for drainage of the pots for 
orchideae, the potsherds should never be laid flat, 
but placed upright, as that allows the water to pass 
more freely through. 

Eulophia ensata 1825 C. of G.Hope. 



The best soil for this tribe is leaf mould and 
loam, in equal portions, with a portion of cally sand. 
As soon as they have done growing, the plants 
should be allowed to go to rest in some dry and cool 
place until they begin again to grow. 

Groby a Amber sti as 1829 Brazil. 

This does best grown in a basket or on a log of 
wood ; it should have plenty of water when in a 
vigorous state, but not any when done grow- 
ing. 

Cattleya labiata 1818 S. America. 



— triste 

— barbatum 



1825 
1822 



— Forbesii 

— Harrisoniana 

— citrina 

— Mossiae 



1838 



1812 



1823 



Brazil. 

Guiana. 

Mexico. 



1836 



La Guayra. 



ORCHID ACE-E . 



Cattleya speciosa 1334 

Skinnerii 1S36 Guatemala. 

All these do well potted in turfy peat, with the 
exception of citrina, which requires to be grown 
on a piece of wood. When these plants have done 
growing they should have a rest. It is one of the 
most beautiful of the orchideous genera, and being 
most easy of cultivation, no persons should be 
without these plants in their stoves. 

Lselia anceps 1834 Mexico. 



Barkeriana 183-5 

albida IS 33 

purpurescens — 

majalis 1839 

superbians 1S39 Guatemala. 

autumnalis 1833 Mexico. 

grandiflora 1839 

furfuracea 1833 Mexico. 

acuminata 1339 

cinnabarina 1S36 Brazil. 



All these should be grown on logs of wood, as 
they do not answer well with pot culture. When 
they are put on the logs, sphagnum should be used, 
and the plants should be fastened on with copper 
wire, for that is stronger than zinc. Great care 
should be taken that no water gets into the hearts 
of the youncr shoots, as that will be sure to destroy 
them, and perhaps the whole plant. They should 



250 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



not be kept too wet, but slightly moistened every 
day as long as they continue to grow, and kept 
perfectly dry when they have done growing. It is 
a lovely genus, and will well repay the little trouble 
that is bestowed upon it, with a brilliant show of 
rich coloured flowers, not surpassed by any genus 
of orchidese. 

Broughtonia sanguinea 1793 Jamaica. 

This should be grown on a log of wood, with a 
little sphagnum, it requires only little water. 

Leptotes bicolor 1830 Brazil. 

A small basket or a log of wood does equally 
well for this. It is a lovely little plant. 

Mormodes atropurpurea 1834 Spanish Main. 

— — — — pardina 1836 Mexico. 

buccinata 1838 

This species requires nearly the same treatment 
as that for catasetum. It is a very singular genus, 
the column is turned awry or twisted, which gave 
rise to the name mormodes or hobgoblin, from its 
fanciful resemblance to that. 

Epidendrum Skinner i 1835 Guatemala. 

■ cochleatum 1786 West Indies. 

— cuspidatum 1808 

— tibicinum 1836 Honduras. 

macrochilum") , r . 

f — Mexico, 
(purple lip) J 

selliserum 1835 Guatemala. 



ORCHIDACEiE. 



251 



Epidendrum aromaticum — 

alatum — 

aloefolium 1837 Mexico. 

All the epidendrese will do well in pots, with 
turfy peat ; the pots should be shallow, or if other- 
wise they should be filled up nearly to the top 
with potsherds. Ep. aloefolium and tibicinum will 
require to be put on logs of wood, as they do not 
answer well in pots or baskets. All these species 
of this genus here inserted are beautiful. 

Trichopilia tortilis 1835 Mexico. 

This does well either in a pot or basket, with 
turfy peat and sphagnum. 

Galeandra Baneri 1837 Mexico. 

This will also do well in a pot or basket, or even 
on a log of wood. It is 1 a splendid plant, and de- 
serves the greatest care in cultivation. 

Cyrtopodium Andersonii 1804 West Indies. 

punctatum 1834 Demerara. 

These require the same treatment as Catasetum. 

P. N. DON. 



ERRATA. 



Page 19, for Bilbergia Zeberina, read Billbergia Zebrina. 
36, for Dentzea, read Deutzea. 
102, for Rosa, read Rosea. 
Ill, for Ligter, read Ligtu. 
115, for Temata, read Ternatea. 
134, for Polyanthes, read Polyanthus. 
136, for Syphocampelis, read Sephelocamphilus. 



INDEX 

TO THE 

NAMES OF PLANTS. 



Page 

Acacia Kermisina 164 

Achimenes Coccinea 137 

.Eschynanthus Grandiflora 90 

Agapanthus Umbellatus 52 

x\loe 53 

Alpinia Nutans 110 

Alstraemeria Bicolor and Pelegrina .... 97 

Ligtu Ill 

Amaryllis 53 

Ammyrsine, to force 19 

Andromeda, to force 19 

Angelonia Salicarigefolia 124 

Anigozanthos Speciosa 120 

Anisanthus Cunonia 32 

Aphelandra Cristata 125 

Aphelexis Humilis 47 

Arctotis Grandiflora 44 

Arthropodium Cirratum 98 

Asclepias Curassavica 141 

Astelma Eximium 125 

Astroloma Humifusum 95 

Auricula 67 

Azalea Indica 44 

Balsamina Hortensis Ill 

Barleria Purpurea 154 

Barringtonia Speciosa 121 

Billbergia Pyramidalis 171 

Zebrina 19 

Boronia Serrulata 72 

Bouvardia Splendens and Triphylla . , . 126 

Brachysema Latifolium 154 

Browallia Elongata 113 

Brownlowia Elata and Grandiflora .... 139 



254 INDEX TO THE NAMES OF PLANTS. 



Page 



Brugmansia Suaveolens 126 

Brunsvigia Falcata and Josephinea . . . . 128 

Burtonia Conferta 149 

Calceolaria 72 

Bicolor 172 

Calothamnus Quadrifida 142 

Camellia . 20 

Campanula Pyramidalis 129 

Canarina Campanula » . 73 

Carmichaelia Australis 55 

Celosia Cristata (Cockscomb) 113 

Celsia Cretica 45 

Cereus Speciosissimus 56 

Chorizerna 73 

Chrysanthemum Sinensis 155 

Cineraria 32 

Citrus (Orange) 173 

Clerodendrum Fragrans 143 

Clethra Arborea 115 

Clint onia Pulchella 104 

Clitoria Ternata 115 

Combretum Furpureum 143 

Coronella Glauca 45 

Crinum 57 

Crocus 25 

Crowea Saligna . . 164 

Cyclamen 58 

Cydonia Japonica, to force 29 

Cyperus Alternifolius 47 

Cypripedium Calceolus 59 

Daphne Odora 35 

Deutzea Scabra 36 

Dianthus Arboreus ......... 36 

Dichorizandra Thyrsiflora 145 

Diplacus Puniceus 130 

Dombeya Ferruginea 154 

Dracaena Ferrea 155 

Echium Fastuosum 46 

Edwardsia Grandirlora 60 

Epiphyllum Jenkins onii and Speciosum . . 61 

Truncatum 176 

Eranthemum Pulchellum ....... 177 



INDEX TO THE NAMES OE PLANTS. 255- 

Page 

Eranthes Hyemalis 23 

Erica 74 

List of, by Mr. Rider 76 

Erythrina and Crista Galli 178 

Euphorbia Fulgens and Jaquinsiaeflora . . . 179 

Splendens 99 

Fabeana Imbricata 90 

Fuchsia 78 

Gardenia Florida and Fragrans 110 

Radicans 145 

Gardoquia Multiflora 79 

■ Hookerii 80 

Gastrolobium Bilobum 62 

Gazania Pavonia 46 

Genista Canadensis 46 

Gesneria Gloxinia and Sinningia 101 

Oblongata 165 

Gnaphalium Eximium 91 

Gompholobium Grandiflorum 63 

Gomphrena Globosa (Globe Amaranth) . . 116 

Hedychium 130 

Heliotropium Peruvianum 63 

Helleborus Niger 23 

Hibiscus Rosea Sinensis 102 

Hyacinthus, to force 24 

Hydrangea Hortensis 64 

Inga Harrisii 40 

Ipomcea Learii 34 

Ipomopsis Elesans 146 

Ixia . . 36 

Ixora Grandiflora 147 

Jasminum Glaucum 81 

Sambac and Grandiflorum ... 66 

Jonesia Asoca 94 

Justicia Coccinea 157 

Speciosa 180 

Kalmia Latifolia 26 

Kaempferia Elegans 93 

Kerria Japonica, to force 26 

Laburnum, to force 37 

Lachenalia 38 

Lager strsemia Indica 132 



256 INDEX TO THE NAMES OF PLANTS, 



Page 

Lechenaultia Formosa ........ 106 

Lobelia Bicolor and Erinus 66 

— Propinqua, Azurea, &c 116 

— Heterophylla 117 

Luculia Gratissima 163 

Mabonia, to force 29 

Marbella Baxteri 163 

Mesembryanthemum 103 

Mimosa Sesitiva . 118 

Mimulus 82 

Muraltia Mixta . 166 

Musa Coccinea (Plantain Tree) 148 

Musaceae 22 

Narcissus, to force 24 

Orchidacese, viz. :— 

Acropera . 246 

Bletia 194 

Brassavola 195 

Brassia 192. 247 

Brougbtonia . 193. 250 

Burlingtonia 194 

Calanthe 196 

Catasetum ........ 196. 242 

Cattleva . 198. 248 

Chysis 201 

Cirrhcea 201 

Cirrbopetalum 202 

Coelogyne 203 

Coryantbes 204. 244 

Cycnocbe 204. 245 

Cymbidium 205 

Cypripedium . 204 

Cyrtocbilum 207 

Cyrtopodium 206. 251 

Dendrobium 207 

Epidendrum 210. 250 

Eria 213 

Eulopbia 214.248 

Galeandra 214. 251 

Gongora 215. 244 

Govenia 216 

Grammatopbyllum 216 

P 



INDEX TO THE NAMES OE PLANTS. 257 



Page 

Grobya 217. 248 

Huntleva 217 

Lselia * 217. 249 

Leptotes 219. 250 

Lissochilus 246 

Maxillaria 219. 245 

Miltonia 223 

Monochanthus 223 

Mormodes 223. 250 

Mvanthus 224 

Notylia 225 

Odontoglossum 225. 247 

Oncidium 226. 247 

Ornithidium 231. 246 

Paxtonia 231 

Peristeria 231 

Phajus 232 

Ponthievae 231 

Renanthera 234. 247 

Rodriguezia 234 

Saccolabium 235 

Sarcanthus 235 

Sarcochilus 236 

Stanhopea 236. 243 

Stenorhynchus 238 

Trichocentrum 239 

Trichopilia 251 

Trichophilia 238 

Trigonidum . 239 

Vanilla . 239 

Zygopetalum 240. 246 

Oxalis 38 

Passiflora Bonapartea 167 

Pelargonium (Geranium) 82 

Petrea Stephalia . . 92 

Petunia , 85 

Philadelphia to force . 25 

Philibertia Grandiflora 85 

Phlox Drummondii 133 

Phoenocoma Prolifera 134 

Phylica Spicata 181 

Pink 60 



,258 INDEX TO THE NAMES OF PLANTS. 

Page 

Poinsettia Pulcherrima 168 

Polyanthus Tuberosa 134 

Primula 39 

Reseda Odorata 181 

Rhodanthe Manglesii 69 

Rhodochiton Volubile 166 

Rhododendron, Hardy, to force 27 

Rondeletia Speciosa 86 

Rosa, to force 26 

Ruellia Ciliata 119 

- Formosa 182 

Russelia Juncea 135 

Salvia Patens 148 

Splendens . . . „ 158 

— — Polystachia 183 

Sephelocamphilus Bicolor 136 

Serissa Fcetida 120 

Spigelia Marylandica 47 

Sprengelia Incarnata 87 

Statica Arborea 137 

Struthiola Erecta 184 

Syringa Vulgaris, to force 30 

Thunbergia Alata 159 

Trevirana 137 

Tristania Nereifolia 151 

Tropaeolum Tricolor . . 87 

■ ■ — Canadensis 103 

Tulip, to force 24 

Verbena 88 

Viburnum . 39 

Vinca Rosea ....«, 89 

Viola 184 

Yucca Superba ♦. . . 70 

Zicchia Glabrata and Tricolor 106 



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